Foster Caddell

Foster Caddell
Aug 2, 1921 – June 2, 2013

Voluntown– Foster Caddell, 91, of Voluntown, passed away at his home/studio, “Northlight”, on Sunday June 2, 2013.
He was born in Pawtucket, RI on August 2, 1921, the only child of the late Clara (Bamford) and Foster Bradley Caddell.  He is survived by his beloved mate, Gail (Merchant) Caddell. They were married February 14, 1993, at the home of close friends in Gate City, VA.  Foster was previously married to June Kaufmann who predeceased him in 1989.
Foster spent his entire life pursuing his passion for painting.  He started sketching and drawing while still in grade school and continued through high school.  After graduation, he became employed at the Providence Lithograph Company in RI.  During WWII, he was assigned as an artist and spent 18 months of his three-year service, within the United States Army Air Corps, sketching and painting throughout the Pacific.  After the war, Foster returned to work as a lithographer, but ultimately turned to free lance illustration, preferring to work for himself.  He continued to pursue “fine art” projects, nights and weekends.  Then living in Voluntown, CT, he was asked to teach by aspiring local artists familiar with his work.  Before long, he was the owner and CEO of the largest private art school in southern New England.  He retired in 2006.
          In 1974 the editor of American Artist suggested that he write an art instruction book.  He embarked on writing Keys to Successful Landscape Painting.  This book was followed by Keys to Successful Color and Keys to Painting Better Portraits.  In 1993, he wrote a revision of his first book, which was retitled Foster Caddell’s Keys to Successful Landscape Painting.  In addition to these accomplishments, Foster has gained great renown as a portrait artist.  He portrayed many famous people from around northeast Connecticut, including Senator Thomas J. Dodd and his son Christopher J. Dodd, senior Senator from Connecticut.
In addition to his wife Gail, Foster is survived by Gail’s daughter Cherie LeBlanc Fisher, husband Charles Fisher, and daughter Olivia of Stow, Dane LeBlanc, wife Kelly Plourde LeBlanc and infant son Joseph Raymond of Waterford, CT, and his most special friend of 60 years, Dr. Albert G. Gosselin of Lisbon, CT.
There will be calling hours from 5PM to 7PM on Friday at the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City, CT.  Graveside services will take place 11:00AM at Pachaug Cemetery, Griswold, CT. In remembrance of Foster, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lyme Art Association at 90 Lyme Street Old Lyme, CT 06371. For online condolences you can visit www.gagnepiechowski.com

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