Monday, October 20, 2025
I grew up on the farm besides Neil. I was the same age as his older brother Kerry. My younger brother Robbie and I played with Kerry & Neil countless times over the years as we grew up. Rafting on sloughs. Building scrap wood forts. Building straw bale forts as kids. We put countless miles on our bikes riding back and forth between our farms. My brother and I had the perfect aged guy friends next door for many years. After high school, Neil & I roomed together in Melfort for a year and a bit. That’s where I got to know him better as an adult. Neil has a great sense of humour. He was my resident computer guru back in the day and he helped my Mum with her computer gremlins many times over the years. He was a good friend back in the day. We’ve kept in touch over the years as I returned home to visit to see my parents. I’d often visit with his Mum Gladys and Neil the last few years that Neil was back on the farm. I last popped in on Neil at the farm after his Mom died earlier this summer a month or so back. He was friendly as always. He showed me his ‘jacked up’ super riding mower when I was there. It made me laugh. That thing could mow through anything after he modded it!!!! He definitely was a bit of a tinkerer! There is a mechanical aptitude running through some of the Foster cousins and Neil had the gene for it too. I knew he loved his family and that his kids and their families meant a lot to him. I’m so sad we won’t be chatting about his crazy contraptions any time soon. God willing, one day we will meet again in a much better place. Neil was a good neighbour, always had a great smile and could make me laugh. He was interesting and always good for an enjoyable conversation. I’ll miss him. Gone too soon buddy! I hope you are having the time of your life ‘Up Yonder’. Save a spot for me at the Banqueting Table old friend. God bless.
