Gregory J Foster
July 30, 1950 - October 18, 2024
Obituary
MADISON - Gregory Joseph “Greg” Foster, age 74, of Madison, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Agrace HospiceCare after a courageous battle with ALS. He was born on July 30, 1950, in Madison, the son of Donald and Louise (Joyce) Foster.
Greg graduated from La Follette High School in 1968 and furthered his education at Cardinal Stritch University with a degree in History. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a radarman.
Greg was united in marriage to Gale Roeming on June 23, 1979, at Queen of Peace Church. He worked for General Telephone Electronic (GTE) which became Verizon for his whole professional career, starting as a telephone pole lineman and working his way up to management.
Greg loved playing sports, especially softball, hockey, and football. He was the inaugural goalie at La Follette High School. After graduating from high school, he continued playing hockey in the Madison Senior Hockey League. Greg also had a great passion for fastpitch softball. He played for and managed the Club Tavern Men’s fastpitch softball team, which competed at several national tournaments. Greg's love of sports transitioned to coaching his kids in their numerous activities. Greg spent a decade coaching pole vault at both La Follette and Portage high schools.
Most of all, Greg loved his family. He and Gale spent countless hours traveling together to watch their children compete in athletics. He was most proud of his children and their athletic accomplishments. He was their biggest fan and that carried forward to his grandchildren. He never missed a game and loved watching them compete on the ice rink and on the baseball and softball diamonds. His consistent presence in the stands will be severely missed by his grandchildren and their teammates.
Greg is survived by his daughter, Sarah (Roger) Lippitt; son, Shane (Jenell) Foster; sister, Faye (Jay) Foster; grandchildren, Galexy (Lexy) Lippitt, Roger Lippitt and Louie Lippitt; nephews, Mathew Quast, Jarrod Katon, Adam Katon, Ryan Roeming and Grant Roeming; nieces, Allison Desmond and Shanda Fahey. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gale; and first wife, Shelley Lachnit; parents, Donald and Louise; brother-in-law, Steve Quast; and sisters, Rita Quast and Linda Foster.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, with Father Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVESTREAM may visit Greg’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the Mass and click on “Watch Now” in the Webcast Section. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the Mass at THE GREAT DANE PUB AND BREWING COMPANY- Eastside, 876 Jupiter Drive, Madison. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.
In honor of Greg’s lifetime love of sports, in lieu of flowers, his family appreciates donations being made to Madison Patriots Youth Hockey Association and Madison Kennedy Little League. Greg’s family would like to thank Cornerstone Care Giving and Agrace HospiceCare for all the wonderful care given to Greg and his family as he battled ALS.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420