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Jack Foley Obituary
Age 87, of Crescent Hills, on Monday, September 14, 2009. Born to the late Randall A. and Viola (Meahl) Foley on August 18, 1922. He was preceded in death by his brothers Randall James of Texas and Richard of California. Jack is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Louise Naughton, whom he met while attending the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, he and 19 members of his senior ROTC class, enlisted in the Army on June 29, 1943. After training as a paratrooper he was assigned to the 101st Airborne. Jack was a member of Easy Company, 506 P.I.R. who held the town of Bastogne, through the Battle of the Bulge, in the winter of 1944-1945 and participated in the liberation of Dachau. Jack's wartime experiences were among those chronicled in Steven Ambrose's 1992 book Band of Brothers, which was made into the HBO series. After his discharge from the service, he returned to the University of Pittsburgh to finish his degree and eventually began a career with ALCOA. He and his wife are the loving parents of five children: Karen of Minneapolis (Jon Neuse), Barbara of Los Angeles (Leslie Ferreira), John of Pittsburgh (Deana), David of New York (Andrew Barnes) and Nancy of Pittsburgh (Diane Schneider); grandchildren Kate and Jonathan Neuse, Mara and Anthony Ferreira, and Julia, Elaine and Rita Foley. Jack was a devoted husband, proud father, loving son, brother and loyal friend. He was a man of broad interests, reading history and mysteries, attending theatre in Pittsburgh and New York, following Pitt basketball and he especially loved traveling with his wife. The family gratefully acknowledges the devoted care he received from the fourth floor staff at Seneca Place, Penn Hills. Contributions acknowledged in Jack's name to the Screaming Eagle Support Fund, c/o 101st Airborne Division Assn. P.O. Box 929, Fort Campbell, KY 42223. Friends received in WILLIAM F. GROSS FUNERAL HOME, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills THURSDAY ONLY 3:00 to 8:00PM. Funeral prayers Friday 11:30AM, Mass of Christian Burial in St. Bartholomew Church at Noon.
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Jimmy Roach
September 22, 2009
My wife Karen and I had the privilege
of being guests in the Foley house, and
it's a memory that we'll treasure.
Jack was a hero in the highest sense,
both in war and later in his life in
Penn Hills. His memory will live on in
the lives of everyone he touched.
Julia Foley
September 19, 2009
I greatly miss my grandfather and it is hard for me to believe he is no longer with us here. I have so many special memories of him that I do not even know where to begin. We shared our love of reading,sports, history,and Seinfeld together and I am very blessed to have such a courageous. kind, and hard working grandfather as a role model.
Thank you all for your love and support.
Dale Baccari
September 18, 2009
John and Family, so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I remember John telling me all the stories about his dad and all his parents travels. Sorry I could not be there personally.
Bill Turbeville
September 18, 2009
I remember Jack very well.
He was a good friend and loyal Alcoan.
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Rick Lohmeyer
September 17, 2009
Crescent Hills brings back memories, but none more so than those centering around our next-door neighbors, the Foleys. I'm sorry I can't attend the service for Mr. Foley, but my thoughts are with his family and friends. My heartfelt condolences to all.
Susan Biondi/Costa
September 17, 2009
I am so sorry to hear about Mr Foley's passing. I grew up in Cresent Hills and went to St. Bartholomew's with David.
I pray that you will feel the support of the prayers offered for you and your family.
Dave Criss
September 17, 2009
I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Foley's passing. I didn't know him, but only of him through WW2 history. He was a true hero, and I am thankful for men like him and all the other veterans and currently enlisted men and women. I am forever grateful for their service to protect our freedoms. You have my condolences.
Nancie Magnuson
September 17, 2009
It was an honor to know your husband and father. After retirement Jack worked at The Trade Show Group for a brief time. He was in sales and I was in graphic design, our paths didn't cross that often, but Jack was one of the group that contributed to our small agency. He was a sweetheart of a guy and I will always remember him. His heroic deeds are an inspiration to us all. My prayers are with you Mary Lou and your family.
Laurel Stevens Workmaster
September 17, 2009
My condolences to the Foley family. I swam with Nancy at Penn Hills and remember Mr. and Mrs. Foley shopping at Frank and Dom's. It is hard to lose a parent. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Christine Aloe
September 17, 2009
I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Foley's passing. I did not know him at all, but my father also fought (11th Armored Division) in the Battle of Bulge and the ensuing campaigns.
He too, became sad at Christmas time, especially Christmas Eve. A sort of melancholy came over him, and you just knew he was "there". He was so, so proud of having fought in the war. He often said "I wouldn't go through it again for a million dollars, but I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars either". This was truly an extraordinary group of young, brave men.
Your family has my sympathy and these men who we are losing every day, have my thanks.
Sincerely,
Chris Aloe, daughter of Stanley P. Nebash (Deceased 2001)
Norma Scocco
September 17, 2009
My heartfelt condolences to the Foley family. During the period of time that Jack was a patient at Seneca Place I got to know him and his family, all of them very gracious and kind. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Irene Cohen
September 16, 2009
I met Mary in the hall at Seneca, as we were each taking care of our husbands.
Jack was obviously a very special person, with a wonderful family. We met some of them at his last birthday party at Seneca. The grand daughters were especially lovely and personable.
My heart goes out to all of you, especially Mary. If I can ever possibly do anything (if you need to talk or get out of the house, or whatever), please contact me at Seneca.
My deepest sympathy.
Shirley Leonard
September 16, 2009
I have spent the days remembering the joys and adventures with dear friends,Theatre trips,football games,museum field trips, even out of town forays.A lifetime of growing, sharing of family triumphs and also hard times.The delight in our children-How lucky we were to have had 56 years with Jack and Lou and their family, an elegant group.
Irene Cohen
September 16, 2009
I became acquainted with Mary in the hallway of Seneca as each of us was taking care of our hubands.
Jack was obviously a very special person and a favorite with the staff on the 4th floor. He will be missed,and I will miss seeing Mary.
We met some of his family at his last birthday party where his lovely grand daughters had come in from far and wide -- Egypt and California. What a nice family!
My deepest sympathy to all.
September 16, 2009
I wish to express my sincere sympathy to Nancy, her Mother, and all the other family and friends of her Father. I can remember one of the earlier times when Mr. Foley was hospitalized and Nancy experienced seeing her Father in a hospital gown. Unfortunately, that turned out to be one of many trips for Mr. Foley to the hospital. With each episode we talked about her Father's "Nine Lives". He faught a long battle and I so admire the strength and devotion of his family to see him through to victory over death and life eternal. May God be with the family and friends of Mr. Foley as they mourn their loss and celebrate his life.
Sincerely, Sandy Reed
Friend and co-worker of Nancy
Jim McLaughlin
September 16, 2009
It was a special honor to meet Mr. Foley in conjunction with a veteran's program highlighting service in WW II. But it was even more special to be introduced to this hero of Easy Company as the grandfather of Julia, Elaine and Rita. In that relationship I saw the dignity and sacrifice of a generation as well as a role model to another generation. As the girls left high school I would always look forward to seeing him again on graduation night.
He will be missed.
September 16, 2009
Another beloved Crescent Niter is gone and my sympathies are extended to the entire Foley and McCormick families. LIfe seemed so much simpler with regular getogethers at home of my parents Ham and Helen Whitlinger. Always loved visiting with both Mary Lou and Jack. Crescent Hills celebrations were a pleasant Mayberry -like experience that won't soon be forgotten. Wishing everyone comfort and peace - Rebecca Whitlinger and Helen Whitlinger
Barbara Miller (UPMC)
September 16, 2009
To John and family, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Seems your dad was rich with friends and family. May your many memories help you through this difficult time.
Mark Good
September 16, 2009
Mr. Foley was one of the nicest people I have ever met. When I was fresh out of college, Mr. Foley was one of the first customers I called on. He went out of his way to treat me kindly. He always made time to see me even, when I suspect, he was too busy to do so. I can still see him walking through the lobby at Alcoa, impeccably dressed with a warm welcoming smile. To this day, I treasure our conversations. I learned many things from those meetings, perhaps the most valuable being the concept of respect. Maybe this is why I had such a hard time calling him "Jack" as he would insist. In my mind, he deserved more respect though he would have never demanded it. He was Mr. Foley and he was a great man.
My heart felt sympathies to Mrs. Foley and the entire Foley family.
Amy Leonard-Lawson
September 16, 2009
Growing up in Crescent Hills was a magical place for kids. I feel as if I have several sets of parents and one of my favorite extra dads was Jack Foley.I loved that we could disagree on a few subjects,but still love each other like family.He was a wonderful friend of my parents and of our family.I will miss him. Much love to Mary Lou and all my Foley family.
Karl Rabeneck
September 16, 2009
I worked with Jack when he was at Alcoa, I was at Fuller, Smith & Ross and you could not find a better work partner or friend. The after he retired we worked together at the Trade Show Group and I got to know Mary Lou, what a grand person and wife.
Bill Lohmeyer
September 16, 2009
I grew up next door to the Foleys. My father and uncle were long-time friends of Mr. Foley, probably going back to Pitt before the war. They always said he was a very special person. I came to know that myself. Our condolences are extended to Mrs. Foley and the wonderful family.
Bill Lohmeyer, Atlanta, GA
Nora Leonard
September 16, 2009
Jack's oldest daughter KC is one of my oldest friends, and Jack and Mary Lou were part of a much loved circle of people who brought up their kids in Crescent Hills. When I think of Jack I instantly smell his pipe tobacco. I loved watching Band of Brothers and being able to email him and have a chat about what I'd just seen. Memories of 4th of July picnics and picnics in Boyce Park abound. It is a great comfort to me that Jack will be buried not far from my father (Huck Leonard) in Mt Hope Cemetery.
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