James C. Foley
…Ship-fitter, welder, iron worker; 92
TEWKSBURY - James C. Foley, age 92, a retired ship-fitter and WW II Veteran, died peacefully, Sunday morning, December 4, at Palm Center in Chelmsford after a long period of declining health. He was the beloved husband for fifty-three years of Virginia F. “Ginny” (Walbruel) Foley, who died in 1999. He and his wife were foster parents to dozens of children throughout their long marriage.
James was born in Boston a son of the late Jeremiah and Johanna (Humphries) Foley, but had lived the greater part of his life in Tewksbury.
He enlisted into the Army Air Force During WWII, and was honorably discharged in 1945. He worked at General Electric in Lynn as a ship-fitter, welder and iron worker. He was a member at Longmeadow Golf Club in Lowell, a member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks, Lodge 2070, the Lowell V.F.W, Post 662, and the American Legion. He also enjoyed fishing on the beach at Plum Island, and deep sea fishing around the Isles of Shoal off the coast of New Hampshire.
He leaves three daughters, Tara “Buddy” Gately of Tewksbury, Lynne Desroches of Tyngsboro and Lisa Desroches of MO; a son, Darryl Gately and his wife Sandy of Winchester; a grandson, Stephen Foley of Concord; two brothers-in-law, Jack Kirby of GA, George Hendel of OH; a Godson, Roy Kinzler of FL; many loving nieces and nephews; and numerous friends throughout the greater Boston area.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Mary Constance Foley; and sisters, Mary Kirby and Rita Hendel.
Visiting hours Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral will begin Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Burial with Air Force Honors will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to The Long Meadow Scholarship Fund, 165 Havilah St., Lowell, MA 01852, will be greatly appreciated. tewksburyfuneralhome.com