It was fitting that the celebration of life for Dwight Foster was held at the business that he and his family had created, and that he had one last drive by when the ceremony ended. Tinkess Photo
NORTH GOWER – The eastern Ontario agricultural community has lost one of its best with the death of Dwight Stephen Foster on Jan. 2, 2025. He passed away peacefully at home at the age of 58 after a lengthy battle with colorectal cancer.
Foster loved farming and made an impact in the local agriculture community. Friends say he was always looking for ways to make things better and was always willing to help a neighbour. In 2012 Foster was awarded a Governor General’s Medal of Bravery for his role along with three others in the rescue of a man who had become trapped in a corn silo.
Foster and his wife, Ruth Ann, started their respected elevator business at the family farm in 2008, in response to a shortage of grain storage capacity in the area. That year, the Foster’s had to leave 400 acres unharvested because there were no local storage facilities that could handle their crop. Over time, with the help of their children, their farm grew to include a beef feedlot, crop-growing and grain-hauling operations. North Gower Grains’ annual customer appreciation day is a huge social occasion each year in rural Ottawa, and one that is looked forward to with great anticipation each year.
Eastern Ontario AgriNews spoke with Dwight during his 2023 appreciation day, and he was exactly as described. When asked if he really expected to have 1,000 people attend, he responded true to his nature. “Maybe, it’ll be what it’ll be,” he said with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
He explained how important it is to take time for events like this, and getting together is always something to look forward to. “That’s what we’re hoping for,” he said. “If everyone learns one little thing and has one little laugh and gets one good meal, then I think the day will be a success.”
Foster is survived by Ruth Ann (Beachy), his wife of 31 years and was a devoted father of Delores (Johan), Brian, Allison, Greg (Maddy) and Ron. He was Grandpa to his grandchildren Ginny Mae and Evan Dwight.
He is the son of the late Melville and Rita Foster, brother to Greg (Shirley), Linda (Peter) and Deb (Murray), and uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Thurs., Jan. 9, 2025, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with a Celebration of Life on Fri., Jan. 10, 2025 at 11 a.m. All services were held at the shop at 2505 Lockhead Road, North Gower.
