BELLINGHAM: James C. Foley, age 67, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the loving husband of Carol (Eldridge) Foley for 44 years.
Born, raised, and educated in Natick, Jim was the eldest child of Francis and Jean (McCarty) Foley. He left Natick High School in 1966, where he had been an offensive lineman on the 1965 undefeated Redmen football team, to join the United States Marine Corps. After completing recruit training at MCRD Parris Island and ITR at Camp Geiger, Jim was with weapons platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Vietnam from July 1967-February 1968 serving in numerous combat operations including the Tet Offensive. Jim was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in February 1968. Jim also received the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Qualification Badge, and Combat Action Ribbon. He returned to Natick and worked a number of jobs for several years to help his mother support his younger siblings, an act of caring and selflessness never forgotten by his family.
Jim and Carol married in 1971 and lived briefly in Millis prior to settling in Bellingham. A construction laborer, Jim soon became a foreman, and later a superintendent, though one who never forgot where he started. He retired from the construction industry in 2002. Since 2003 he worked for the Franklin, MA public schools. He loved the teachers and staff in Franklin, and truly enjoyed his "second career".
Jim was the quintessential grandfather – he played with his grandchildren whenever he could and was sure to guide them along their way with an unfailing and effusive love. A history buff, Jim loved his trips to Europe with Carol and had a particular fondness for France. An outgoing man with a warm and ready smile, knowing Jimmy was a gift.
In addition to Carol, Jim is survived by their son, Christopher R., his wife Katie, and their children, Sophia, Patrick, Grace, Ryan, Sam and Maggie; daughter Bree Charbonneau, her husband Dennis, and their children, Madeline, Olivia, and Emma; three sisters, Barbara Larson and her husband Corbit of Framingham, Martha Dutton Harris and her husband Clarke of North Andover, and Janet Pollock and her husband Matthew of Berkley; three brothers Daniel R. and his wife Claudia of ME, Paul F. and his wife Maria of CA, and Richard W. of AK; and a large number of loving relatives and friends.
His Memorial Service will be held in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Friday, February 19th at 12:00 noon. Relatives and friends are welcome to gather beginning at 11:00AM. Burial with Military Honors at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne will be private at a later date.
Visiting hours will be on Thursday, 4-7PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, or Toys For Tots (A charitable organization of the Marine Corps Reserve).