Joseph Henry Foley, Jr. died September 15, 2017 at Habersham House in Savannah, GA after a brief illness.
Mr. Foley was born in Salem MA, the son of Joseph and Catherine Foley. Joe grew up in San Diego, CA and Winchester, MA. After graduating from Winchester High School, he joined the Navy as a Seabee serving from June 28, 1944 through May 27, 1946 in World War II. He graduated from Georgetown University in May 1950 and married Eleanor Grace Donovan on May 26, 1951. They were married for more than 50 years until Ellie’s death in 2005.
They lived in Scarsdale, New York where he began his career with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, retiring from Liberty in 1991 after 40 years in claims management. Joe and Ellie then moved to Savannah, where in her words, “Every day was a vacation.” They loved music festivals, mass at the Cathedral, and treating visiting family and friends to dinner downtown.
Joe was a proud Irish Catholic, serving as lector and parish council member at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scarsdale, NY and St. James the Less in Savannah. He was active in his community, serving for years on the Eastchester NY Zoning Board. He coached all his children in numerous sports, and spent many early winter mornings driving his sons to outdoor hockey practice.
His love of sports dated back to his youth in Boston and San Diego. He was a long time season ticket holder for both the champion New York Islanders and West Point Army football (but he always rooted for Navy!). Joe attended numerous golf tournaments, including the Masters, the PGA and the US Open. He was also an avid spring training fan.
Joe is survived by his six children, son Timothy and wife Sally; son Peter and wife Emily; son Paul; twin sons Thomas and wife Jennifer and Ted; and daughter Maryann and husband Ted King. In addition, he left nine grandchildren, Caitlin Phillips and husband Jeff; TJ, Matthew and Annie King; Timothy, Casey, and twins Bridget and Shannon Foley; and Libby Foley. He was a great-grandfather to Asher, Rowan and Hayes Phillips. Joe is also survived by his sister, Catherine Hines and husband Richard and numerous nieces and nephews.
On the last day of Joe’s life, his hospice nurse asked, “Has he always been such a sweetheart?” The answer is yes. He was a gentleman, a wonderful husband, brother, father, uncle and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 29 at 11:30AM at St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, MA. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Winchester.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Social Apostolate 502 East Liberty Street, Savannah GA 31401.