VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-Rev. Alvin C. Foster died on Sunday, Feb. 19, at Fairport Baptist Homes in Fairport, N.Y. He was 80. Rev. Foster served as American Baptist Homes and Hospitals (ABHHA) president from 1981 to 1985 and received an ABHHA merit award in 1985. He retired from Fairport Baptist Homes in 1990, following 22 years of ministry there. "He was an incredible asset to ministry in this region," said Rev. Garth Brokaw, president and chief executive officer of Fairport Baptist Homes Caring Ministries, who sits on the Boards of American Baptist Churches USA, National Ministries and ABHHA. The whole of Rev. Foster's pastoral service was in the Rochester area. He graduated from Northern American Baptist Seminary in 1946, when the seminary was located in Rochester, N.Y., and was associate pastor at The Baptist Temple from 1948-1954. Rev. Foster then served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairport for 14 years, until he started his ministry at Fairport Baptist Homes in 1968. A service to celebrate Rev. Foster's life will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fairport, 92 South Main Street, Fairport, N.Y. 14450. Memorials can be directed to Fairport Baptist Homes Caring Ministries Foundation, 4646 Nine Mile Point Road, Fairport, N.Y. 14450. Foster is survived by daughters Sandra Johnson and Jan Markajani, stepdaughter Meg Valentini and stepsons, Duncan Walls and Scott Walls.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/