Stephen Xavier "Steve" Foley Sr.

November 30, 1925 – March 23, 2018 At the age of 92, after a full and productive life, Stephen (Steve) X. Foley, Sr. of Lake Forest passed into Eternal Life on March 23, 2018. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mercedes (nee Meyenberg) of 65 years. He was the proud and devoted father to daughters Mary Margaret, Cathy and Maureen (Richard Schabel) and his son Steve, Jr (Barbara). Devoted grandfather to Steve and Ryan Foley and Mercedes and Richard Schabel. Additionally he is survived by his brother in law, Dr. John Meyenberg and his sisters in law, Helene Meyenberg and Rosemary (Michael) Pavlo and 13 nieces and 13 nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Helen Foley, and his sisters, Mary (Ronne) Malham and Eileen (Arthur) Carlson. Throughout his life, Steve set an example of hard work, integrity, kindness, generosity and humility. Steve was born in Chicago, attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Mundelein Seminary, served in the army and graduated from Loyola University in 1948. He married the love of his life April 26, 1952 and shortly after their marriage, he left his position at General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) to pursue a career in car sales at Hollingshead Oldsmobile on Chicago's South Side. He moved from sales to management and in 1964, he became the dealer/owner of Hollingshead Oldsmobile renamed Steve Foley's Hollingshead Oldsmobile. In 1974, he sold the Oldsmobile dealership and purchased a Cadillac dealership in Northbrook renamed Steve Foley Cadillac. In 1983, he was vetted by Rolls-Royce and found worthy of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley franchises. Through the years, he purchased and sold several dealerships in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida. At one time, he also owned and operated several tire and service centers throughout the Chicago area. He served for 19 years on the board of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and was chairman of the Chicago Auto Show in 1980. He was a member of the Cadillac Advertising Association and the National Dealer Council. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Quigley Seminary in 1994. He was involved in and supported many charitable organizations. He and Mercedes served twice as chairpersons of the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine Awards Dinner. The dinner is the longest-running black tie gala in Chicago and continues to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical student scholarships. Steve was a great man, a gentleman who will be missed by all who knew him. Visitation Friday, April 6, 2018 from 9 am to 11 am at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave., Lake Forest followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 am at the Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 721 N. LaSalle Chicago, IL. 60654 or Mundelein Seminary – University of St. Mary of the Lake, 1000 E. Maple Avenue, Mundelein, IL. 60060. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, (847)234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com