July 16, 2008
Richard & Lois Foss Named
Pittsfield's Citizens Of The Year 2008
Richard and Lois Foss have been named
Pittsfield's Citizens of the Year for 2008. They did something
extraordinary in 2008 - they gave $1,000,000 to benefit Pittsfield
Middle High School graduates. This will empower Pittsfield's future
citizens and leaders to bring something back to this community which
has afforded them the opportunities of a small town with a not so
small heart. This domino effect will reach out and empower more
people to energize this town to a potential not yet dreamed of. They
have believed in Pittsfield, never giving in to what can't be done,
but underwriting what can. This, not the money, is what the Fosses
have done that is extraordinary.
Sometimes it takes only one great action to bring
the Citizen of the Year plaque to someone, but in this case there
are many other things that recommend the Fosses for this honor. Mr.
Foss served his country and upon returning was active in the
Peterson-Cram Legion Post. He was long a business owner in
Pittsfield with many contributions being made through his
construction business. He is responsible for our senior housing
apartments just off Main Street which have provided our elderly with
comfortable, inexpensive places to live. He developed the
subdivision on Molly Lane and erected all of its houses. He later
developed the property around White's Pond, better known as
Winsunvale, a name that he gave the development.
His company completed the work of raising the
Episcopal Church and placing the addition on the holding tomb at
Floral Park Cemetery. He also built the Globe Building and his
former office building serves as the location of Brown Engineering,
the Paige Insurance Agency and Jefferson Pilot Investments. While
being involved as businessman, he also served personally as
selectman and budget committee member. He was instrumental in
planting the spruce Town Christmas Tree next to the Episcopal
Church.
It takes a team to make the decisions and direct
the actions necessary to be involved in so much. Lois was the
impetus and balance necessary for the Fosses' insightful
involvement. When they retired to Gilmanton the Fosses remained a
support to Pittsfield projects - helping the Pittsfield Players with
renovations and placing new bathrooms in the Scenic Theatre; helping
to remove the bell from the tower of what is now the Community
Center and placing it on the Police Department lawn; creating the
Foss Family Foundation to support worthy undertakings on a personal
and community level; working with the Historical Society and Legion
to erect the two wings on the Veterans Monument in Dustin Part last
year; serving as Clerk of the Works and donating to the Youth
Baseball Athletic Park.
What does it take to be named Pittsfield's
Citizens of the Year - a willing spirit, a generous heart and
neverending optimism.
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 Catherine
Anderson, daughter of Krista (Hast) and Matthew
FitzGerald of Londonderry and Carl and Valerie Anderson
of Pittsfield, and granddaughter of Fred and Elizabeth
Hast of Pittsfield, recently returned from a trip to
Beijing, China where she performed with the Londonderry
High School Lancers Marching Band and Color Guard. The
Lancers were invited to participate in the Olympic
International Youth Festival prior to the 2008 Olympics.
The Lancers, the largest marching band to participate
with 254 members, visited places such as Tiananmen
Square, The Summer Palace, The Forbidden City and, in
perhaps the Lancer's most defining moment, performed at
the Great Wall of China. The planning of the trip began
over a year ago and took place from June 19 28, 2008. To
see more on the Lancer's trip to China you can visit
their website at
www.lancermusicnotes.org. Catherine (playing the
trombone) can be seen performing at the Great Wall.
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