MSAD #4

Thanks to the generosity of a local retired business man, the future students of Piscataquis Community High School will benefit in a variety of ways. Charles Foss, a PCHS graduate from the class of 1959, has bequeathed approximately $500,000 dollars that will be set up as an endowment fund to benefit his alma mater.

“Mr. Foss is obviously a person of tremendous vision, a trait that seems to be matched only by his generosity,” said SAD #4 Superintendent of Schools Paul Stearns. We are extremely grateful for this gift that will open the door of opportunity for area students in the future.”

Charlie was the sixth child of a family of eight to graduate from PCHS. While at PCHS, Charlie participated in the school chorus and school band. In his senior year the band was invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Cherry Festival. It was the only high school band in the State of Maine to receive that honor that year. He also worked behind the scenes on many drama productions.

After graduating from PCHS, Charlie served in the U.S. Navy for four years and traveled through 10 time zones. After his service time, he returned to school in Boston, Massachusetts where he studied electronics. After his post-secondary education, he worked for Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland for 20 years. He then moved to Augusta and worked for Central Maine Power Company for 14 years. He enjoys playing the trumpet and was a member of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. He currently plays his trumpet in the orchestra at his church. In 2001, he retired from Central Maine Power Company and moved to Dover-Foxcroft to be near his family.

Charlie’s monetary gift will be managed through the Maine Community Foundation for the further benefit of Piscataquis Community High School. The purpose of the endowment is to provide supplemental funds to the high school for arts and enrichment activities typically not supported through the school system’s annual budget in the following areas:
 

1. School band for music, uniforms, instruments, and other purposes
2. School library to help purchase books, electronic equipment, etc.
3. School drama activities to help defray costs of production, sets, licensed music, props, and other purposes
4. School field trips for travel purposes, entrance fees, and other purposes

Additionally, the fund would appropriately support school-sponsored international travel or student exchange, should that be introduced and offered in the future.

According to Charlie, “I enjoy my retirement by volunteering at Mayo Regional Hospital and working with the Piscataquis Valley Fair Association. I am an active member of the United Baptist Church of Dover-Foxcroft and enjoy traveling to Greenville, Bangor, the Maine coast, Pennsylvania, and New York. Life is so good.” And, thanks to Charlie, school life will be better for many future PCHS students.