James Foley

James (Seamus) Foley, devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, passed away unexpectedly, Monday February 9, 2015. James is survived by his wife Julia; brother Michael; daughter Maura; sons James, Brian, and Steven; eight grandchildren; and innumerous nieces and nephews. Of all the people, events, and passions of a long and well-lived life, it is no secret that James’ greatest love was his ardor for his grandchildren, on whom he doted, and who in return showered him with attention and boundless affection.

James was born in Askeaton, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland, in April of 1928. As a child, his greatest love, after his mother, was hurling, and he followed the Irish game faithfully throughout all his travels and life. After working some years at Ireland’s Shannon Airport, and an adventurous time working for the Canadian National Railway, he joined the United States Army, with the goal of eventually emigrating to the United States. He served honorably in the U.S. Army, stationed among NATO forces in postwar France, from 1954 to 1956, and upon his discharge was granted United States citizenship. He always enjoyed telling the story of his luck the day he enlisted. A sergeant pointed to the enlistees, telling them to move to one side of the room or the other. Pointing to one side of the room, the sergeant said “you are now Marines,” and pointing to the group Foley stood in, said “you are Army.” The marines went to war in Korea; the Army soldiers went to France. During his resulting years stationed in France, James learned French, travelled extensively throughout Europe, and regularly visited his home in Ireland on weekend passes.

After his discharge in 1956, James settled in New York City, making lifelong friends and discovering numerous cousins in the Bronx, at Gaelic Park in Riverdale, and the Irish-American Society in Mineola, Long Island. It was at a dance at the Irish-American Society that he met the love of his life, his wife Julia (née O’Connor). James ultimately found a job at New York Telephone, where he would work for 34 years. He had assignments all over New York City, starting as an installer and later becoming a foreman and supervisor. He was most proud of his work as a foreman on construction of the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, and the build-out of the communications infrastructure for the 1976 Democratic National Convention at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

James has lived in the New York City borough of Queens since his marriage in 1958, and since the late 1960s also enjoyed summering by the shore of the Long Island Sound at his cottage in the town of Southold, NY. James has been a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes church in Queens Village for over 50 years, and sent all his children to Lourdes’ parish school. He was also a long-time member of the Holy Name Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Having always enjoyed a beautiful tenor, he relished his performances with the Bayside Glee Club, with which he was a member for decades.

Eternally in the hearts of all he met, the world is today a little less loving place with the passing of James Foley, husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, friend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in James’ name to Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens.