Cdr. Russell Otis Foster, U.S.C.G.-ret., age 100, of Gwynn’s Island, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012.

Otis retired from the Merchant Marine in 1941 and continued his military career with the United States Coast Guard from 1943 to 1963. Upon his retirement, he moved back to Gwynn’s Island. He was a member of Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church, Oriental Lodge #20 A.F.&A.M., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, and Khedive Shrine Temple, Norfolk.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Rowe Foster, and his parents, Charles Russell and Nora Powell Foster.

He is survived by his daughters, Lenore Todd (Winfred) of Gwynn’s Island, and Rochelle Stacy (Dean) of Virginia Beach; sister, Doris Loop of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Mark Todd of Gwynn’s Island, Keith Todd of Houston, Texas, Kent Todd of Bridgewater, Kathy Turner of Virginia Beach, James Todd of Burlington, N.C., and D.J. Stacy of Virginia Beach; nine great-grandchildren; three nephews, Jimmy, Timmy, and Kenny Rowe; also his beloved dog, Lil Pooky.

The family received friends on Sunday, March 18, 2012, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. A Masonic service was conducted at 7 o’clock.

Funeral services were conducted on Monday, March 19, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home Chapel, Mathews. Burial followed in the Gwynn’s Island Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church Kitchen Committee, P.O. Box 26, Gwynn, Va. 23066 and/or the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109.