In Memory Of
Thomas J. Foley
1935
2022
Thomas J. Foley
March 19, 1935 — January 10, 2022
Thomas Joseph Foley, 86, husband of the late Dolores Puglio Foley, peacefully passed away Monday, January 10, 2022, at Bayfront Hospice Inn in Largo Florida.
Born on March 19, 1935, in Schenectady, New York he was the son of the late Barnard J. and Elizabeth (Elsie) Manas. He was most proud of his service in the U.S. Navy. At the young age of 17 he enlisted and was assigned as an Aviation Ordnanceman (Bomb Chaser) to the newly commissioned U.S.S. Oriskany, which was one of the new Essex Class aircraft carriers and nicknamed the "Mighty O". He enjoyed touring the world aboard ship and was particularly fond of the Philippines. After serving in the Navy and being Honorably discharged, he returned to Schenectady and while working at General Electric, met the love of his life Dolores. They married in February of 1958 and started a family. He left GE for a career with the Schenectady Police Department and was sworn in as a Policeman. During his career he was assigned to numerous duties ranging from routine patrol to undercover investigations to dispatch operations. After suffering an injury while on the job, he was forced to retire in 1985 after serving some 26 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, (especially meticulously maintaining his lawn and home in New York), spending time and talking with his grandsons, Jimmy and Brian, and traveling to Florida where he and Dolores spent hours taking long walks and visiting with family, friends and neighbors. He always made time to listen and offer words of wisdom to his loved ones and even strangers that passed his way. He permanently relocated to Florida in 2005 where he and Dolores dutifully raised their granddaughter Kacie after the passing of their youngest daughter Karen. Later in life he focused more on watching his favorite cooking and police shows and caring for his loving wife's healthcare needs until her passing in 2016.
Special thanks are given to the following who helped his daughter Diane care for Tom, and which allowed him to continue his dream of living in Florida: Pat, his local primary caregiver and friend, neighbors Joe, and his wife Cindy, Mike and his wife Lynn and granddaughter Kacie and her husband Ryan for their care and support.
He is survived by his daughter Diane (James) Clark, numerous grandchildren, brothers Richard and William (Maryann), and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Dolores, he was predeceased by his son, Robert and daughter Karen.
At the request of family, there will be a graveside service with military honors conducted on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 2:30pm at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Schenectady.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or a charity of your choice in Tom's care.
To leave a special message for the family please click "Share Memories."
Born on March 19, 1935, in Schenectady, New York he was the son of the late Barnard J. and Elizabeth (Elsie) Manas. He was most proud of his service in the U.S. Navy. At the young age of 17 he enlisted and was assigned as an Aviation Ordnanceman (Bomb Chaser) to the newly commissioned U.S.S. Oriskany, which was one of the new Essex Class aircraft carriers and nicknamed the "Mighty O". He enjoyed touring the world aboard ship and was particularly fond of the Philippines. After serving in the Navy and being Honorably discharged, he returned to Schenectady and while working at General Electric, met the love of his life Dolores. They married in February of 1958 and started a family. He left GE for a career with the Schenectady Police Department and was sworn in as a Policeman. During his career he was assigned to numerous duties ranging from routine patrol to undercover investigations to dispatch operations. After suffering an injury while on the job, he was forced to retire in 1985 after serving some 26 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, (especially meticulously maintaining his lawn and home in New York), spending time and talking with his grandsons, Jimmy and Brian, and traveling to Florida where he and Dolores spent hours taking long walks and visiting with family, friends and neighbors. He always made time to listen and offer words of wisdom to his loved ones and even strangers that passed his way. He permanently relocated to Florida in 2005 where he and Dolores dutifully raised their granddaughter Kacie after the passing of their youngest daughter Karen. Later in life he focused more on watching his favorite cooking and police shows and caring for his loving wife's healthcare needs until her passing in 2016.
Special thanks are given to the following who helped his daughter Diane care for Tom, and which allowed him to continue his dream of living in Florida: Pat, his local primary caregiver and friend, neighbors Joe, and his wife Cindy, Mike and his wife Lynn and granddaughter Kacie and her husband Ryan for their care and support.
He is survived by his daughter Diane (James) Clark, numerous grandchildren, brothers Richard and William (Maryann), and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Dolores, he was predeceased by his son, Robert and daughter Karen.
At the request of family, there will be a graveside service with military honors conducted on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 2:30pm at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Schenectady.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or a charity of your choice in Tom's care.
To leave a special message for the family please click "Share Memories."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas J. Foley, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Guestbook
Visits: 6
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors