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"When a loved one becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." John Philip Foss was our treasure, cherished by his family, friends, fellow educators, former students, and community members. He will be remembered for his generosity, friendship, and unfailing kindness. His good humor, quick wit, and fun-loving nature made all our days brighter.
John Foss passed on December 5th, 2020 at the age of 72 after a valiant fight with cancer. He faced his diagnosis with openness, grace, and strong faith, the same way he approached life in general. He counted his blessings each and every day and shared those blessings freely. People mattered to John. He could strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere and make them feel welcome and at ease as if they were old friends.
His childhood years were spent in Needham, MA. He chose service as a career path receiving a BA in English from Nasson College and a Masters in Education from the University of New Hampshire. John spent thirty-eight years as a teacher and administrator touching the lives of his students and colleagues in Rye, Stratham, Weare, Candia, and Milford, New Hampshire. He had a heart for his students and a passion for his craft. Easily approachable, John developed a strong rapport with staff members, school families, and the community. Upon his retirement, a scholarship fund was established in his name for graduating Souhegan Valley Area High School students. Additionally, he shared his background in education as part of the adjunct faculty at Rivier University in Nashua.
In 1990, John married Judith Harriman, his dedicated partner in life and adventures. Together they formed countless friendships, set out on many cruises, traveled the world, and made their community more vibrant. John generously and whole-heartedly served his community for years as the Weare town moderator and as an active member in local Congregational Churches.
John was an accomplished amateur photographer. He was happiest capturing and sharing joy with his camera whether it be the beauty of his surroundings, or the countenances of loved ones, acquaintances, and strangers. John would be the first to offer to take a group photo for others that he encountered on trips or at his favorite breakfast establishments. He was in the business of making others smile.
It will be hard for our family to imagine the holidays without John's wit, huge smile, and even his silly hats; an original one worn proudly for each holiday. Every Christmas we looked forward to receiving a calendar containing photos of his latest travels with a touching personalized note and inspirational words to take us into the coming year. We all have a drawerful of these calendars tucked away, recognizing their importance at the time, yet now clearly knowing their value as a memory of a remarkable man and a life well-lived.
John is predeceased by his parents Elizabeth and Philip Foss and his sister Elizabeth Ann Foss Carey. In addition to his devoted wife Judith, he is loved by his brother David Foss, several nieces and nephews, and numerous family members and friends.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to a charity or cause that speaks to your heart. For more information or to sign an online guestbook please visit www.frenchandrising.com https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/concordmonitor/obituary.aspx?pid=197249384
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Nancy Benham ((Brennan))
I was a latecomer to Needham and didn't know everyone in the class. I met John many years after graduation at a welcome party for new faculty when we both taught in the same school system here in Weare, NH. Small world! Great guy with the warmest smile. Kids loved him and he was in his element as an educator. We would see each other occasionally at the grocery store and share travel stories. R.I.P., John.
Bob Barrett
John and I first met when we were teammates on The Senators little league team when we were both in 6th grade. I have to echo what Nancy said above, that John was a agreat guy with a warm smile. As we went on through junior high (before there were "Middle Schools", at least in Needham) and Needham High, our separate lives periodically wove together and apart as so many relationships do at that age. For me, the consistent in our friendship is that we enjoyed each others company, and John's sense of humor and easy-going manner seemed to keep the people around him smiling as well. It sounds like John had a life well-lived and brought happiness to family and friends around him. Godspeed, friend.
David Flint
I didn't know John well until high school but we quickly became friends and shared many memorable experiences. Home room antics somehow tolerated by Mr. Heinrich; numerous band rehearsals, performances, exchange trips; canoe trips on the Charles with Bill Eaton, etc., all framed by John's great sense of humor. I missed seeing him at the 50th reunion but will always have great memories of a great friend. Rest In Peace, John.
Stephanie Twickler (Meegan)
This story was prompted by the confluence of Great Conjunction photograph taken by a friend on her farm here in Boxford & the Memorial Service of a dear friend, JOHN FOSS, who I last saw when we danced at the NHS senior prom in 1967. Shared in honor of John & with warm wishes for healing, hope & health in the New Year to you all.
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String of Lights in a Time of Darkness: A Christmas Story
Stephanie Twickler Meegan
December 2020
As this year of great sadness & unexpected blessings draws to a close,
this Christmas story is shared in honor of a life well-lived.
It is a tale of serendipity reminiscent of Einstein's familiar words –
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous. Albert Einstein
A dear friend of mine from high school, died on December 6th, his 72nd birthday. Fifteen years ago, after much searching, I reconnected with John. He & his wife Judy had settled in New Hampshire where he was a principal of a preK-1 school. He was a kind, playful, compassionate man who spread light, warmth & delight. The kind of person who would recreate the magic of The Polar Express for 250 little children or dress-up as Papa Smurf or welcome the whole school community by playing his tuba.
This past year, as John's cancer became more aggressive, I was honored to be among many friends & family members who found small ways to support & care for him & his beloved wife, Judy. Over the last month I found music videos of songs that I thought might be of comfort. And each time I received word that a selection was of particular significance to John. For instance, a link to John Denver's Where the River Meets the Sea was emailed. A day later, Judy shared that playing Denver songs was soothing John when he was having a rough night. Another music video sent was Here I am Lord. It turned out to be one John's favorite hymns. Serendipity was at work in the choice these shared songs. The music became another cherished thread of connection to this fine man who I last saw in 1967.
Monday evening, John's family & friends watched online the video of his Memorial Service. We were mindful that it was also the Winter Solstice & the Great Conjunction. My heart smiled when included in the service was Here I am Lord accompanying a slideshow of his exquisite nature photography.
Later as I reflected on the poignant celebration of John's life, I came across the photograph below posted on Facebook. It was taken by a friend at sunset as the goats headed to the barn on her family farm in West Boxford. It stirred recollections of the ancient story of the first Nativity & the shepherds keeping watch in Bethlehem.
John was an amateur astrologer … avid heaven-gazer.
I felt compelled to share the sunset image with John's wife.
The email exchange between Judy and I is copied below.
It is the "rest of the story."
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On Dec 22, 2020, at 1:12 AM,
Stephanie wrote:
{C}
Dear Judy,
The celebration of John's life was deeply moving. The sharing of stories brought smiles & tears as similar themes of John's caring & impact were expressed through personal reflections. "Here I am Lord" accompanying John's photographs allowed us to share his ability to see nature's beauty in all its wonderous variety.
It is abundantly clear that John's presence brought out the best in others, soothing spirits, sharing encouraging words, modelling compassion, evoking playful laughter, & choosing kindness. And tonight, you invited us to do likewise, in honor of John's legacy & to expand our own peace & joy.
As I joined you viewing the Memorial Service tonight, a friend was sharing her photo of the Winter Solstice & the Great Conjunction. Caren captured the goats heading home to the barn on their farm here in Boxford.
I share Caren's photo above as a remembrance of the celebration of
John's light in the world.
The memorial service lighted our way, the Great Conjunction lighted their way.
With love, Stephanie
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from Judy
Tue 12/22/2020 2:46 AM
Dear Stephanie,
I’ve never shared this with anyone, but when I used to wake up in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep for worry, John would tell me a “goat story” to make me smile and change my focus.
They were silly little stories that he made up on the spot, starring Mr. Goat (alias John) and Mrs. Goat (me).
So, when I opened your email at 2:00 AM and saw the picture that your friend took, I said to myself, “There’s Mr. & Mrs. Goat led by their Great Companion.” And I smiled.
❤️
Judy
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Going forward, may we thread coincidences to illuminate our way …
like strings of Christmas lights on a winter’s night.
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Stephanie Twickler (Meegan)
This is the photo that was embedded in the story above: "String of Lights in aTime of Darkness"
Stephanie Twickler (Meegan)
William Eaton
I am so sorry to hear of John’s death, he was a great friend and a truly caring and considerate person. We first met in Miss Cummings third grade at Mitchell. She was a mean, nasty witch who picked on me, John and Doug Hillman mercilessly. But she did teach us to read, give her that. Fourth grade was Mrs Vater and then Mrs Blomberg, two truly lovely women who were nice to everyone. Fifth was Miss Cunningham, a Canadian who tried to teach us French, not so successfully. She assigned projects to teach us about the United States. John’s mother knew how to type, so John’s projects always looked like a doctoral thesis, mine looked more like the dog ate them, then thought better of it and barfed them up for me to turn in. As I recall, my work was not well received. John’s was.
Sixth Grade was Mrs Maroni, another mean shrew, but she let us play volleyball for hours almost every day in the Mitchell’s new gym. She didn’t teach much, but in the end she didn’t do much harm, either. The principle, Mr. Tavalone, put together a 6th grade softball team and we played the other 6th graders from the other schools in town. John was great a baseball player, I was terrible but the rest of the team covered for me. We got to know some of the guys from the other schools that we would meet the next year at Highland Ave.
In 7th we were both in M-4 and Miss Locke’s home room. We has Mrs. Barry for math. She remembered my Uncle Dexter, my father, my cousin Marilyn and my cousin Roger. That was scary. She was old, but nice to all of us. In 8th and 9th at Pollard we had Mrs. Stallings for homeroom, our division was 8-4. In 9th Mr. Vitale taught Latin, Mrs Colson tried to teach us algebra, unsuccessfully in my case, and Miss Meehan introduced us to Shakespeare and term papers.
High School was Mr. Heinrich’s home room with John and Dave Flint and all the other E’s and F’s. And German. John got his license and I remember we would go out onto 128 and take his father’s car up to 100 MPH, scared the hell out of me. We shared the same table at a bunch of proms, same lunch table, lots of the same homework, frequently while bolting down lunch. We cheated on homework remorselessly. Nobody really cared, we still learned a lot of stuff.
I would often catch up with John in the Band Room. He was great on the Sousaphone and Tuba. We spent a year skipping Mr. Herlihy’s physics class using fake hall passes. It didn’t matter. Herlihy was a funny guy, but he didn’t teach much. I could be critical of a bunch of teachers we had, but to be honest the Needham School system was probably the best educational experience of my life, the teachers on the whole were excellent, the curriculum exceptional and the results impressive. I am glad John chose to be a teacher. He was given any number of good examples to learn from, and I am sure his students remember him fondly.
I can’t begin to remember how many late nights I hung out in John’s basement watching tv until the test pattern came on. John and I and Frank Hartwell and Dave Flint spent a lot of time in canoes on the river back when it was still very dirty. Last time I looked you could now actually see the bottom. Amazing. It used to be a sewer.
I visited John at Nasson a couple of times. I wish I could reminisce but we spent most of the time drunk and I can only remember mountains of snow. I was at Bates in Maine, so snow takes up a big part of my memory. After college I lost touch with John when I moved to New Jersey, next saw him at the 40th reunion, then at the 45th. It was good to catch up, sorry that was the last time. He is missed.