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Vinal Albert Foss of Ellsworth passed away at his residence on Nov. 6, 2018, after a period of declining health. He was born to Vinal Andrew and Mabel (Guilford) Foss on Jan. 29, 1938, in Ellsworth. While Vinal spent many of his years in Ellsworth, he also lived in Stetson and Belfast, as well as Lubec and Jackson, where he made many dear friends. A hard worker always eager to lend a helping hand, Vinal worked many odd jobs from stacking firewood, to helping local lobstermen, mowing grass, general labor and also spent years working at Maplewood Poultry during Belfast’s poultry industry boom.
Vinal will always be remembered for the kind, helpful man he was with his always ready, if not somewhat mischievous, wide grin. His love for walking and a good cup of coffee will not be soon forgotten either. Many a motorist passing through the hills of Brooks and Jackson during his time there was likely to see him braving heat, rain, snow, sleet and sub-zero temperatures along Route 7 on his way to or from Wentworth’s store in such a quest; sometimes multiple times a day! A likeable man, he made fast friends wherever he went and it was truly amazing how many people he knew. Many of his friends and relatives shared stories over the years about how no one could take Vinal anywhere in the state where he didn’t come across someone he knew.
In 2005, after the death of his caretaker sister, Dotty VanChough, Vinal moved to the Ida Lockhart residence, where he spent the rest of his days. There he remained his social self, forming lasting and loving relationships with his housemates and staff. Always one to catch a ride to the store or wherever errands needed to be run, staff quickly also came to know how you couldn’t take him anywhere where he didn’t find someone he knew. His legendary love for a good cup of coffee never waned either; if you had a piping hot cup of Dunkin’ for him, you were sure to elicit a big, wide grin.
Vinal will truly be missed by many, many people. Vinal was predeceased by his parents, his beloved sister, Dottie VanChough, a special niece, Trudy Pickard, brothers Arthur Foss and Phillip Maddocks, sisters Alice Rollins, Josephine Maddocks and Margret Murphy.
Vinal is survived by his brother, Raymond Foss, of Franklin, who cared for him for many years, brother Don Foss of Georgia, sisters Ramona Carter and Elva Gurney, both of Old Town. Many nieces and nephews to include special nieces Norma Stone of Virginia and Sandra Jean Jones and husband, Wayne, of Lubec, and nephew Robert VanChough and wife, Sheila, of Florida. Additionally, special friends Sid and Sharon Look of Jonesport, Sheldon and Mary McCormick of Brooks, Cindy Tassinari of Florida, staff and residents of the Ida Lockhart Residence, and Hamilton, Andrea and Alexandria Richards of Jackson.
Vinal’s celebration of life service will take place at the First Congregational Church of Ellsworth, 2 Church St., Ellsworth, on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in Vinal’s memory to the Ida Lockhart Residence, c/o Yesterday’s Children, Inc., ATTN: Dwayne Decker, P.O. Box 829, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
