James J. "Buddy" Foley Jr. age 65, of East Taunton died unexpectedly January 9, 2014 at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich. He was born in Stoneham, spent some time as a child in Burlington before moving to Brockton many years ago. He has been a resident of E. Taunton since 1992. James was the son of Mildred L. (Conley) Foley from E. Bridgewater and the late James J. Foley Sr.
James was a 1967 graduate of Brockton High School. Following high school he was drafted into the military and proudly served in the Army during Vietnam, stationed first in South Korea during the Pueblo incident and then upon reenlistment in Germany.
An advocate of continued education James attended Stonehill College, Bridgewater State and NH Technical School receiving an Associates Degree in Health and Human Services; and later went on to alcohol counseling. As a social worker since 1980, he always went above and beyond to help his clients and co-workers.
James will be remembered as a social man with a great smile who enjoyed helping others; and was known to open his home to anyone in need, asking only that they be part of the family and help with the daily routines. He enjoyed traveling, time at the beach and had a great respect and love for the Earth. It is no secret he also had a great love of music, but less known is that he had an amazing singing voice. James had a love of his many Great Danes especially "Timna" with whom he had a special bond. Being with James left you without a care in the world because he could handle anything that came his way with a special grace and confidence. Even during his illness you knew you were safe with him.
He is survived by his loving daughter Hillary and her boyfriend Dean Cousins also of E. Taunton; his siblings, Barbara Bartorelli of Brockton, Maureen Monahan of Raynham, Steven Foley of Middleboro and Kathleen McCabe of E. Bridgewater; his nephews Rick Roode of Bridgewater and James Monahan of Raynham with whom he had special relationships, as well as many other nieces and nephews. He was the former husband of Linda (Solomon) Foley and brother of late Lorraine Prosper.
Visitation will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Thursday, January 16, from 9 to 10am followed by a funeral mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 10:30am. Burial with military honors in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at 1pm.