About a year ago I was in Ontario as my own father was in failing health. I discovered a letter from Fr. Hugh Foley in my father's house and made an effort to inform him of my father's demise.

The picture is that of my father, William C. McTague.

It was during that first conversation with Fr. Foley that I learned that he and my father had been best friends at St. Mikes and that they had won the handball championship together in 1942. They had vacationed together as children and my father had given Fr. Foley his navy ring when he went off to war in the RCNVR.

Father Foley even told me that his family had lived, very briefly, in the house next door to the one I grew up in.

Father Foley became part of the family as we proceeded onward toward my father's memorial service. He said we were being kind to him but I told him we were just doing the right thing.

At one point in my father's memorial service, I called Father Foley and I held the phone up and had everyone gathered there say, "HI, FATHER FOLEY!!"

At the end of my summer last year I was lucky enough to have lunch with Father Foley in his room at Anglin House. He was not robust and remained in bed throughout my visit but his kindness and gentle nature were all about him.

I left feeling so good about the care Father Foley was getting. He was surrounded by true friends and kindred spirits.

I have to admit that I wasn't overly saddened by the news of his passing as, sometimes, it is time to go and I understand from one of his confreres that his passing was a good one.

I can go on thinking of Hugh Foley and his friend, "Beau" McTague, going for fish and chips, playing the many sports they enjoyed and being best friends on the streets of Toronto a lifetime ago.

If his soul is like his personality he should be resting easy.

So long, Hugh, Tim

July 24, 2013
Dear Father Walsh
Thank you for your call about my uncle Father Hugh. I am so grateful that my brother, Bill Grupp, will be able to attend the service, and represent all of us.
Father Hugh has been a constant in my life, and in all of my sibling's lives. He was there when we were kids in South Bend when he would come to visit. When we were gone to Argentina, or when he could not make a visit, he always communicated with us all.
I think the thing I appreciate the most about Father Hugh is/was his ability to love each of us, as we were, and how we are today. Throughout the years Father Hugh sent us little gifts from his travels. I remember those gifts as being filled with sentiment, no matter what the actual object was. 
After college, I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to work as a nurse. I remember with humor and care Hugh's visit to my little one room house. It was clear to me that he did not have a lot of experience with cooking and taking care of household things, which struck me as funny at the time as I was for the first time ever learning to live alone and to do those things myself. I also remember how loving he was and how complimentary he was about my life and me as a person.
I visited Hugh when I went to a Home Health Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He drove down to pick me up and we went back up to London, where he was living at the time. I stayed at his parish house, and visited with who I think was Ken O'Keefe, and Hugh. It was really fun being on a campus, visiting Father Hugh's environment and having the opportunity to see all the places he and my mom had been as kids.
Father Hugh was visiting my family on my son's (Peter Hugh- named after my uncle),  1st birthday. We had just gotten home from a day at the market. It was warm and we were tired, Dan putting our daughter Leah down for a nap.  I put Peter in his walker and walked in the kitchen for a minute to get some iced tea. Peter flew down the stairs in his walker. I was never so afraid, and off I went to Urgent Care at Group Health. Father Hugh was a blessing, so calming and supportive that day to all of us.
Leah and Peter and I visited Hugh when he spent the summer in Kelowna. We drove up there, stayed with them at the house and enjoyed our visit very much. The four of us swam together, ate together, and laughed and played together.
Father Hugh never judged me. He often did not understand some of my choices, and some of my feelings about my mother, his sister. He always supported me, no matter what.
I last saw Father Hugh three summers ago. He had been ill and had been staying in a convalescent home, away from his regular residence. I drove to Toronto with my partner Maria and our dog Bella. It was a difficult trip, and our last month together. It was really great to visit Father Hugh. He took us to the church where my mom and dad had married, and to all the places he wanted to see. Unfortunately, the home is in a crummy neighborhood, we were in a crummy motel, our dog got sick and my relationship with Maria was deteriorating. I felt torn between her needs (which were closely linked to the dog) and time with my uncle. In any case, I  am so grateful that I made that trip to Toronto. I knew that might be my last visit with him.
Judy, Terry and Anna all made it up to see him in the last couple of years, and I guess Bill too had been there. He was our uncle, we were his family. I loved and love him very much,  and I will never forget his corny jokes, his always being in touch, and his warm, loving being.

I have no blood or relative connection but I felt as if he was the grandfather I never had. The first time I met Father was on a cold winter day, and yet I did not feel the cold upon his presence. It was almost as if summer had crept up earlier. I truly believe I have been blessed to have met my best friend, who introduced me to this wonderful human being. I will forever cherish every tear, every laugh, every silence we shared. He brought such joy to my spirit every time I would visit or think of him. His advice will always be whispering in my mind at times of trouble and despair. My fondest memory with you Father is that of dancing to our classics and singing melodies only we still love. You are considered forever apart of my family and life, I am smiling from below to you. I know the heavens have given you a lovely future to look forward for eternity. I love you and miss you Father Foley. We may be star years apart but when I listen to our songs you are the wind in the room right beside me, waving your arms to the melodies , with that twinkle in your eyes - as if it were just yesterday. Yours truly, Colette

Hugh was a most gentle loving person, both as a teacher of mine at Assumption and later on visiting him at Anglin house. He is a model of being pleasant (loving) to everyone always.  This virtue was not always appreciated by all his students, however he gave me credit for attempting to keep my fellow borders "in line"  Hugh is an excellent role model of non-violent love - which our world is desperately in need of.

Peace and blessings, Dwyer Sullivan, grad of Assumption HS, 1955

We will always remember Fr. Foley as kind, gentle and understanding priest with a great sense of humor. We first met when he came to serve at St Mary's and Missions in Owen Sound in the early 1990's. Over the years he was always interested in hearing about our growing family and the goings on in the St Mary's, parish community and the local Knights of Columbus council, which he remained a member since 1991. We will miss his Christmas notes.
 Rest in Peace Fr. Hugh.

I met Fr. Hugh at the Newman Club in London, ON in the late 1980s-early 1990s while attending Western University. We shared stories about Assumption College School even though I had graduated from there many years after he had been there. We continued to stay in touch with cards and letters...and he always mentioned our Assumption College School connection. I will miss receiving his note cards in the mail each year. May he rest in peace.
Ozelle (Patolot) Case
Assumption College School Class of '86

I remember the first time I went to visit Hugh , my grandfather was very fond of Mr Foley as he was not only a coach, but a teacher to him. My grandfather suggested I visit this dear friend of his as I had moved to Toronto for post- secondary school. The first time I met him, I was instantly impressed by his humble nurturing and kind spirit. We bonded over the fact we had both born in Chatham, Ontario. Throughout the course of this year I continued to visit Hugh, he taught me a lot about life in general . I always thoroughly enjoyed our visits and found myself constantly visiting him. He not only become a friend but a mentor. We shared many laughs, great stories, and had great talks about life. I am forever grateful for the imprint he made in my life as a mentor, friend, and kind person.
xoxo Baylee North (granddaughter Edward & Sharon Carriveau)

Hugh was a gentle soul, simple in tastes, forgiving, not judgmental, accepting of others, loyal and with a generous sense of humour. He was a good man, a good pastor, a fine Basilian. God bless and keep him

Our Sympathy, The Staff from Holy Family Church in Hanover

A kindly man and a good priest. Rest well Father Hugh.

Uncle Hugh, you left an indelible mark on our lives  Your understanding and compassion made all of us better people and I pray everyday to exhibit that grace  We love you and you will be greatly missed.

I was a student at Assumption High School in Windsor from 1952 until 1957 and I have fond memories of Fr. Foley. He was a gentle man and coached just about every sport. He was well respected by all the students. May his soul rest in peace.

May God keep you close to him as you were close to him.

I remember liking and being greatly impressed by Fr. Foley back in 1952 at Strawberry Island. That view was re-enforced every time I met him, up to the present.  Sorry I didn't see more of him. A  great man, a saint, I think, and happily in God's Hands now.
Larry Carney

I never met the Father in person, but grew up with the stories. My parents, Ed and Sharon Carriveau loved the Father and have many memories of him.  The father coached my father in sports, and in life to be the great person ..  My daughter, Baylee North,, recent to Toronto, had the gift of meeting with the Father, on a regular basis, and his friends, and was lucky to have the input of his wisdom, and stories.  Baylee was lucky enough to be a part of his last birthday on July 4,and will always remember him, and the friends and family kindly.  A huge thank you to a great soul, you will be greatly missed. xo

OBITUARY

Rev. Hugh McMahon Foley, C.S.B.

July 4, 1925 – July 23, 2013

Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel

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