L. Foster James

Saratoga Springs, NY- L. Foster James, age 90, passed away early on the morning of April 20th, 2026.

Born in Saratoga Springs on October 1st, 1935, Foster was the son of L. Foster James Sr. and Margaret Rowland. Raised and educated in Saratoga Springs, Foster was a member of the graduating class of 1953 at Saratoga Springs High School. He continued his education at Syracuse University where he graduated in 1960 after serving in the United States Army.

In 1962, Foster married Kathleen A. O'Malley of Saratoga Springs. They began their married life together in Plattsburgh, NY where two sons were born. In 1968 they returned to Saratoga Springs and Foster enrolled in Albany Law School on the G.I. Bill. A third son was born in 1970 and Foster graduated from Albany Law School as a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1972.

Foster practiced family law with Phillip Proller and Loren Brown in Corinth, NY beginning in 1972. In 1985 he was elected to serve as Saratoga County Family Court Judge, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. After retiring, Foster continued to serve New York State as a Judicial Hearing Officer until 2015.

Foster was a devoted communicant of St. Peter's church as well as a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Rotary Club and the Knights of Columbus. He loved downhill skiing. From Alpine Meadows in Greenfield, NY to Stowe, VT to Telluride, CO and even as far away as Austria, and especially at Gore Mountain with his friends. He had a special interest in horses, his loved Mustang convertibles and was a student of Civil War history. Foster and Kathleen traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe and spent many happy summers camping with friends and family on the islands of Lake George.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen James; three sons Stephen James, Christopher (Lisa) James and Gregory (Perri Gipner) James; grandchildren, Sarah (Brad) Winkelman, Alicia James and Joshua (Kate Scimeca) James; great grandchildren, Aiden James and Amelia Winkelman; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends may call from 4-7pm, on Friday April 24, 2026 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373). The Elks will conduct their service at 5pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am, on Saturday April 25 at the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Burial with Military Honors will take place at a later date at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com