Preston Foster Passing Away

[mfdanko99]

Preston E. Foster, 72, of Warren, passed away March 8, 2015 of pancreatic cancer. He was born November 28, 1942 in Salem, NJ, the son of Earl and Theresa (Hewitt) Foster and grew up in Woodstown, NJ where he graduated from Woodstown High School in 1961. Preston received his Bachelor of Science in Education (Industrial Arts & Industrial Art Technology) in 1965 and his Masters of Science in Education in 1966 from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH where he met his wife, Sharon (Steffek). They married on June 13, 1964. From 1966 to 1991 he taught Small Engine Repair, and Small Engine Power Technology at Warren Western Reserve High School, Warren where he also taught Driver's Education. Preston was able to maintain professional and social friendships with a large number of his former students, many of whom took interest in his hobby of rebuilding, restoring and collecting historic internal combustion engines. He established The Warren Works in 1977 as owner and operator, creating a business from what began as a hobby. He was a lifetime member of the Historical Engine Society, Kirtland, OH where he served as President and board member; a lifetime member of the Badger Steam and Gas Engine Society, Baraboo, WI. Preston served as the first President of the Coolspring Power Museum, Coolspring, PA, a world-class museum housing the largest display of historic and operational internal combustion engines in north America. He also served as a Director and Curator of Collections in the 35 years of his association with the museum. He was also a member of the Rough and Tumble Engineers Association, Kinzers, PA; Society of Industrial Archeology and the Society of Industrial Archeology, NE Ohio Chapter. He was a life member of Trumbull Canoe Trails as well as President and Trustee. He was a strong advocate of recreational quality of life issues and green space being deeply involved with the Trumbull County Metroparks serving as a board member and volunteer working to develop the Trumbull County Canoe Trails and helping to introduce disc golf to the area. Upon retirement from TCM, the former Canoe Trails Park in Pricetown, OH was renamed Foster Park in his honor. He was an animal lover and supporter of the Animal Welfare League and Mosquito Lake Dog Park. Preston was preceded in death by his parents, sister, grand parents, many aunts and uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sharon (Steffek), daughter Kim (Rick) Heskett, son Kurt (Laura), granddaughters Tiffany Davis, Lydia and Kaitlyn Foster and his loyal dog of 13 yrs, Kanu. He is also survived by nieces JoAnn Hanson, SuAnn Hanson and nephew Dan Hanson as well as cousins Nancy Callison and Sandra Baccile. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at Lane Family Funeral Homes Roberts-Clark Chapel at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and one hour prior to services on Sunday. Preston has elected to donate his body to NEOMED for scientific research. In lieu of flowers, Preston requested that memorial donations be made to the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, 812 Youngstown Kingsville Rd., SE, Vienna, OH 44473. Or Coolspring Power Museum, Coolspring, PA, P O Box 19, Coolspring, PA 15730 to benefit the Susong Building Addition fund.

[mfdanko99]

Lane family Funeral Home-Rober Clark Chapel
180 Garfield Dr NE, Warren, OH 44483
41.238162,-80.785331

I will be attending the Saturday Hours
Saturday March 21st 2-5pm
Sunday March 22nd 2pm

Preston has been a big help to me and the history of our club and the Mahoning River.
I hope we can support his family in there time of need.

Mike Danko