Joseph Paul Foss
Beloved brother Joseph Paul “Joey” or “Joe” Foss passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, following surgery and a long hospitalization in Milwaukee, WI. Born in Hastings, MN to Joe and Jane (Hanson) Foss, he moved to Waukesha, WI in 1959. Joey was a special child. While he walked at nine months and briefly spoke multiple words, he was found to have severe autism/cognitive disability at age 4 and communicated nonverbally most of his life.
His favorite thing was eating any and all kinds of food and drink, especially sweets! (He was very quick and adept at finding these too!) He also enjoyed lively music, dancing, humming, summer camp, and car rides. As a youngster he was a fast runner, giving his parents and older sisters some frantic pursuits!
After he was 5, his family visited him regularly at Southern Wisconsin Center. He lived most of his adult life in a group home, where his best caregivers treated him like family. Joey also experienced a caring community and enjoyable activities at the Brookfield Adult Center daily.
He was preceded in death and will be buried with his parents, Joseph Robert Foss and Jane Louise (Foss) Kontowicz; and by a brother-in-law, Lee Cooper. He is survived by three sisters, Margaret “Meg” Cooper of Madison, Jennifer “Jenny” (Jim Poole) Foss of Suffolk, VA, and Elizabeth “Betsy” (Mike Campbell) Foss-Campbell of Waukesha; and one brother, John “Jack” (Carol) Foss. Joey was very endeared to those who knew him; his smiles, laughs, and hand kisses will always be treasured and missed.
A memorial service for Joey will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church, W299-N5595 Grace Drive, Hartland, WI 53029, followed by a light meal; visitation at the church will be at 2 p.m. A private burial will be May 3 in Waukesha.
Memorials may be made in his name to ARCh - the Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps (). The family would like to especially thank Dr. Katie Iverson and all the 2NT and SICU staff at Froedtert Hospital; those at Joey’s group homes over the years for whom caregiving was a mission; and the staff at the Brookfield Adult Center and My Choice Wisconsin.
Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning Service is honored to serve the family. For further information please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at to leave the family an online tribute message.