Robert J. Foy

Dr. Robert John Foy age 93, of Provincetown died Sunday, March 26 due to the gradual effects of a long term illness. Bob was born on April 12, 1929 to the late Roland Alexander Foy and Irene Kiley Foy in Concord, New Hampshire. Bob graduated from St. Johns High School in Concord NH in 1947. He started pursuing his higher education after High school, paying for his tuition with odd jobs and lots of hard work. He then decided to volunteer in the U.S. Army and serve in the Korean War. After his military service Bob continued his education at several prestigious colleges until eventually earning a PHD in linguistics from Harvard University in 1966. Bob started his career as an English teacher and worked his way up to becoming the Vice Chancellor of UMass Lowell. He retired in 1994 after 35 years of service. He was instrumental in merging Lowell Tech and Lowell State into what we now know as UMass Lowell. Bob was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown, Massachusetts and when visiting Manchester NH, he was a parishioner of St. Pius X Church. He was a faithful church goer and took great interest in Catholic tradition and ceremonies. He was also a member of Walter Welsh Knights of Columbus and supported the efforts of charities, such as the IZZY foundation which provides services for children with cancer. Bob enjoyed studying history, as well restoring and preserving historic buildings. He was a skilled, self-taught, carpenter. In his later years he enjoyed relaxing in his front yard and socializing with his many neighbors as well as visitors of Provincetown who happened to be strolling past his home on Commercial Street. Bob was very generous to family members and friends and to anyone in need. Bob also loved dogs and had several cherished pets over his lifetime. Bob is predeceased by his partner of 38 years, Paul E Smith who died in 1997 and his second partner, Joseph A Connolly III who died in 2022. Bob is also predeceased by his sister Barbara Knapp. Bob is survived by his sister-in-law, LeeAnne Connolly, as well as cousins and a nephew, David Knapp and his wife Nina Knapp of Epsom NH. He is also survived by his longtime neighbors, Donald and Margie Murphy, and their daughters Debbie Thompson, Rebecca Murphy-Van Cleave as well as his late partner Paul Smith’s nephew David Smith and his partner Daniel Mowery of Manchester NH.

His funeral Mass will held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 10AM in St. Peter the Apostle Church, 11 Prince Street, Provincetown, MA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Izzy Foundation P.O. 2326 Providence RI 02903, or your Local Animal shelter.