Robert Allison Foster HALIFAX, NS - FOSTER, Robert Allison "Al"-88, Halifax, passed away peacefully at the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax. Born on February 16, 1915, he was the son of the late John C. and Irene (Baker) Foster. He is survived by daughters Jacquelynn "Jackie" (the late Gerald) Heaps, Ottawa, and Alyson "Sally" (Justin) McNeill, Ottawa, grandson Dean (Christina) McNeill, Ottawa, great-grandsons Jordan, Brandon and Ethan McNeill, brother Thomas Foster, Winnipeg, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife Dorothy (DeFreytas), brother Beverly "Buddy" (Vera) Foster, sisters Bernadette (Louis) Hutchings and Sister Mary Foster. Al Foster has been associated with the theatrical and broadcasting industry since the age of 10, as an actor, singer, announcer, producer and writer. In his teens, in Halifax, Al was a producer, director and performer in minstrel and variety shows; an actor with the Theatre Arts Guild and the original Atlantic Players; a big-band singer and emcee with a number of the top Halifax dance bands on local theatre stages, radio stations, hotel ballrooms and dance halls; and assistant stage producer/emcee for the Franklin & Herschorn Theatre Company's Halifax and Dartmouth theatres. In 1947, after a few years as a theatre manager and other theatrical endeavours, Al and his family moved to Montreal where he joined radio station CKVL as staff announcer, actor, singer and producer. He also performed professionally in theatres and night clubs in Montreal, Ontario and New York. Returning to Halifax in 1954 as program director of radio station CJCH, Al also freelanced in character roles on CBC's "The Gillans" and "Halifax Theatre". On television, he was the host and performer on CBC's "The Alibi Room", one of the first live TV variety shows produced in Halifax, as well as a variety performer on various CBC-TV programs. In 1959 Al moved to Sydney, Cape Breton, to take over the "Early-MorningMan" slot with CJCB Radio, including such popular features as "The Uncle Al & Jerry Show". His television appearances on CJCB-TV included commercials, interviews, game shows, and newscasts. He was also the host of musical variety programs such as "Cape Breton Ceilidh", "Melody Lodge" and "Cape Breton Barn Dance". He was one of the principal performers and actors in the Sydney Rotary Club's Broadway musical-comedy productions, and wrote a weekly column-"Fiction ?n' Fact from Al's Almanac"-for the Cape Breton Post. In 1965 Al accepted an invitation to join the CBC station in Sydney as staff announcer, then transferred to their Moncton outlet in 1968 where he was senior announcer/operator/producer, and hosted the popular music program "Souvenirs". In 1979, Al transferred to CBC Halifax and later took early retirement. For many years thereafter, he continued as a freelance actor/performer/writer. Al has been heard in numerous character roles in CBC radio series "Stereo Theatre", "Morningside", "Vanishing Point" and "Main Street". He also appeared on television, in movies and industrial films, as well as numerous roles at Halifax's Neptune Theatre. He was a member of ACTRA, CAEA, AGVA, and in 1984 was an ACTRA Best Actor nominee for the CBC radio play "The Truth About Willie". Al touched the hearts of so many people during his life and will be greatly missed by all. He will be especially missed by his family, who wish him peace and happiness, and to be reunited with his dearly departed wife Dorothy, whose absence he felt so deeply. We love you, Grandie. Visitation will be today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Snow's Funeral Home, Windsor Street, Halifax. Funeral service will be held Thursday, December 4, 2003, at St. Mary's Basilica, Spring Garden Road, Halifax. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.