Gilbert Foster Of Stonington, Connecticut, and formerly of Southampton Dies December 14

Gilbert R. Foster, born on November 14, 1940 in Southampton, a long-term resident of Stonington, Connecticut, died from COVID-19 on December 14 at The Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island. He was 80.

Mr. Foster was an avid licensed hot air balloon pilot who took his passion of flying to Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and throughout the United States. In the 1980s, he became the Balloonmeister of the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival and used his expertise in coastal flying to help guide attending balloonists in navigating that unique and challenging flying area.

He was the founder and owner of the Mystic River Balloon Adventure, which he started in 1970 and ran it independently with the help of his daughters and close friends until he retired in the late 1990s. Mr. Foster was also a U.S. Air Force veteran honorably serving four years.

The family wished to extend their thanks to the staff at Academy Point in Mystic for their care and compassion where Mr. Foster resided for the past year.

He was predeceased by his wife June Foster; and his parents Roderick and Phyllis Foster.

He is survived by his three daughters, Cynthia (Donald) Rowley of Stonington, Jeanna (Donald) Congdon of Stonington, and Cheryl (Nicholas) Whitelaw of Waterford; five grandchildren, Alisha Shortman, Crystal Cody, Aleksa Liaugaudas, Kurtis Shaw, and Christiana Congdon; two brothers, Christopher (Nancy) Foster and Jonathan (Lisa) Foster; many nieces and one nephew. He is also survived by Eva Aldrich, Arthur Shortman Sr., and Michael Shortman, who his family said were more than just his best friends but also considered family to him.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no calling hours and a funeral will be held at a later date with close friends and family in Southampton.