Stephen Wayne Foss

CANAAN – Stephen Wayne Foss of Canaan, originally from China, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon Sept. 12, 2024.

“Butch”, as he was affectionately known, was born in Waterville, on Aug. 25, 1948, to Bernard and Catherine Foss.

Stephen will be remembered for many accomplishments. After graduating high school in 1966, Stephen enlisted into the United States Air Force. Where he was deployed in 1967 to fight in the Vietnam War. He served until 1972.

In 1972 – 1977, Stephen went to serve in the United States Navy where he was stationed over in Europe.

From 1977 – 1991, Stephen transitioned to the United States Army Reserves, 1125th U.S. Army Hospital in Bangor. From 1989 – 1990, Stephen was stationed in Panama to provide reinforcement to the hospital during the Noriega Conflict. In 1991, Stephen was then deployed to Desert Storm assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division “Big Red 1” which led the ground invasion into Iraq.

From 1991 – 1995, Stephen moved into the Army Individual Ready Reserve. From 1995 – 1997, Stephen finished his 31-year military career at the 133RD Battalion Maine Army National Guard as an E6, Staff Sergeant. Throughout this career, Stephen served as a Combat Medic.

In his normal life, Stephen was a certified Nurses Aid (CNA), Certified EMT n and then went onto becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Stephen had worked at Pleasant Hill Nursing Home before he went on to work at AMHI, now known as Riverview Psychiatry Hospital, which he retired from.

Stephen was a volunteer First Responder at the Canaan Fire Department along with being a Medical Officer part time at the old Somerset County Jail in Skowhegan. He then went to work part time at Genesis Oak Grove Center, Waterville.

Stephen was also a USATF-Maine National Level Certified Official who specialized in Weights and Measures. His other caveats were officiating throwing events. Being a USATF-Maine National Level Certified Official, Stephen could officiate most events but maintained SME (subject matter expert) in Weights and Measures.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Valaree JL Foss, his daughter Stefanie L. Foss, his son in law Chris Foster, his sister Doreen Casabona, his grandson Ian Norton, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends, especially Pam Dickey. Stephen was embraced at his passing by his first daughter Tavi J. Norton who recently passed herself in 2021.

Funeral service will be held on Sept. 29, 2024, at 1 p.m., at the Skowhegan Federated Church, 13 Island Ave, Skowhegan. Followed by a Graveside Interment, 3 p.m., Fairview Cemetery, Hartland Roadd, Canaan. Finger foods and beverages provided after at the Carrabassett Masonic Lodge, 21 Oak Pond Road, Skowhegan. The Masonic Lodge is 1.7 miles from the cemetery.

Stephen will forever be in our hearts. Love you to the moon and back.

Please visit Stephen’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/stephen-foss where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.