John J. Foley

John J. “Sam” Foley, 82, of Wolcott Avenue died Thursday in Baystate Medical Center. John was born in Springfield, grew up in the Sacred Heart section, graduated from Cathedral High School and has lived in West Springfield over 50 years. He graduated from St. Michael’s College in Vermont, received his Master’s Degree from Westfield State College and Law degree from Western New England College. He was admitted into the Massachusetts Bar Association and worked as an attorney for the Claim Department of the Travelers Insurance Company for over 30 years. A communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, he coached youth Basketball and Baseball in West Springfield, was a member of St. Michael’s Golden Knights, the West Springfield/Agawam Elks Club, Nocturnal Adoration Society, and former member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Shaker Farms Country Club. He loved gardening, playing pitch and was an avid fan of the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics. His first wife Margaret (Fitzsimmons) Foley died in 1997. He leaves his wife Elizabeth “Betty” Sullivan Foley; four children John and his wife Jacqueline of Westfield, Maureen Hagen and her husband David of Holliston, Timothy of West Springfield and Michael of Boston; his siblings Mary Kelleher, Kay Moynihan and husband John, Thomas Foley and wife Eileen; brother-in-law William Fitzsimmons and his wife Kay and sister-in-law Mary Bailey. He also leaves six grandchildren; five step children, several nieces, nephews and step grandchildren. The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Monday at 9:00am with Liturgy in St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 10:00am followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 12 Noon – 3pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Soldier’s Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 122 Lancaster Street, Springfield, MA 01118.