Notes for: Roger Durley FOSKETT
Roger Durley Foskett
Oakridger.com
Posted May 29, 2012
DAMARISCOTTA MILLS, Maine -
Roger Durley Foskett, 84, died peacefully at his home in Damariscotta Mills, Maine, on May 21, from Alzheimer's Disease.
Roger was born in London, England, on June 25, 1927. He was a graduate of London University with a degree in electrical engineering, and also studied music and piano at Goldsmith College of London University. He came to the USA as part of "the brain drain" in the early 1960s, and attended Northeastern University where he earned a Master's degree in electronic engineering. Roger worked for various electronics research and engineering companies in Massachusetts, designing and building cutting edge control equipment for everything from tape recorders, to mining, to auto assembly lines. He was partner in several start-up companies around the "128 beltway" in Boston. During this time, he made his home in Winchester with his first wife, Beth, and daughter, Juliet. After Beth's death, he married Ann Carrigan and in 1980 they moved to Oak Ridge, Tenn., where he worked with Foster Miller Associates, and then for Martin Marietta Corp. at the DOE research labs, building the test equipment for a group of physicists working on a fusion energy project.
Roger retired in 1987 and came with Ann to live in Damariscotta Mills. Together, they renovated an 1890s Victorian farmhouse which is a showcase for Roger's skills as a carpenter and builder. This home has been a happy gathering place for family, friends and several beloved pets over the years. Throughout his life, Roger's avocation was in the theatre. He was an accomplished set designer, lighting designer, stage manager and faithfull supporter of Ann in her career as an actress. He was a member of the Damariscotta Arts Council, and Round Top Center for the Arts, where he was a board member. Roger was also a member of the Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship where, over the past 24 years, he served as treasurer, president of the board and editor of the newsletter. For five years, he and Ann also ran The Lion and Unicorn, a shop which sold British goods, Roger's hand-built furniture and antiques.
At his request, Roger's brain has been donated to the Harvard/Mclean Brain Tissue Research Center for Alzheimer's research.
Besides his wife, Roger is survived by his daughter, Juliet Tierney, and husband, Gerry; stepchildren, Michael Carrigan and wife, Jackie, David Carrigan and wife, Cathie, Timothy Carrigan and wife, Wendy, and Liza Phillips; grandchildren, Greg Tierney and wife, Laura, Geoff Tierney and partner, Jessica, Alice Beth Fitzpatrick and husband, Phil, David Thomas, Kendall, Ryan, Morgan, Samantha, Christopher and Michael Carrigan and Camryn Phillips; and great-grandchildren, Natalie and Mitchell Tierney.
A celebration of Roger's life is being planned for July 21, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Skidompha Library, Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Harvard Brain Tissue Research Center -- www.brainbank.mclean.org and click on "make a gift"; Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Building Fund, P.O. Box 1021, Damariscotta, ME 04543; or Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast, Maine.