The Wayne D. Foster Foundation, Inc. was founded to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Wayne D. Foster by carrying forward the values that defined his life—kindness, generosity, joy, and a commitment to uplifting others. Inspired by his belief in the importance of love, strong relationships, and community, our mission is to inspire hope through the meaningful support of youth, veterans, organizations, and families in need. We are dedicated to encouraging and supporting the needs of veterans, bringing comfort and hope to young people facing serious illnesses, and honoring youth who demonstrate exceptional character, humility, compassion, resilience, and determination as they navigate life's journey. Our foundation was incorporated in 2022 as a 503(c)1.

Wayne Douglas Foster was born on April 29, 1944, in St. Albans, Vermont, to Fred and Kathleen (Paxman) Foster. He was the eldest of four children, with two sisters and one brother. Wayne spent much of his childhood in and around Richford and Montgomery, Vermont, where he attended local elementary schools and shared family life on the farm, fishing, hunting, and working alongside his loved ones.

In February 1956, Wayne and his family relocated to New York State. He attended school in Caledonia, New York, and later graduated from LeRoy High School in Genesee County. Wayne went on to earn an electrical degree from DeVry Technical Institute in Illinois and began his career at the Space and Defense Center in Maryland. In September 1966, he was drafted into the United States Army and served his country in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. During his service, he was awarded several honors, including the Purple Heart, and was honorably discharged in 1972.

Wayne spent the majority of his adult life living in and serving Genesee County. He remained in LeRoy until 1979, when he moved with his wife and two daughters to Elba, New York. He dedicated his career to Genesee County, retiring in 2002 from the Highway Department.

Outside of work, Wayne could often be found in his barn, tinkering with cars, woodworking, or creating something new. He was inventive, resourceful, and deeply creative—never one to discard something that might one day be repurposed. He found joy in the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting with family and friends, and experienced peace and a deep connection to God in the forest. Wayne was kind, generous, and deeply loved people, but his greatest treasures were his children, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

In 2017, Wayne was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer as a result of Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam. He fought bravely for three years, receiving extensive care and treatment at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. Wayne was deeply loved and taken too soon. He passed away from the disease on December 6, 2020.