Joseph Foy

1925 - 2023

JOSEPH FOY, 98, died Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Marion VA Medical Center, Marion, Ind. Joe was born to Joseph Aloysius Foy and Mary Elsa (Krum -holz) Foy in 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y. His father, decorated with the Purple Heart, was Foreman for the Jersey City Dept. of Public Works. His mother was a Head Bookkeeper. He was baptized at Church of the Sacred Heart, Jersey City. He was raised in Jersey City, but lived most years in Fort Wayne, Ind. His wife of almost 65 years, Loretta Irene (Bidwell) Foy, died in March 2017. Loretta was born in Garrett, Ind., to Jay H. Bidwell and Ethel A. (Ritter) Bidwell. Survivors include: son, Timothy (Lynn) Foy; daughters, Kathleen (Steven) Wolford, Maureen (Gregory Breese) Foy and Eileen (Gordy) Stafford; nine grandchildren, Shawn, Aimee, James, Jennifer, Mitchell, Miles, Adam, Anthony and Cody; and 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Boszor) Bidwell; three nephews, Daniel, Dennis and Dean; and one neice, Deborah. In addition to his wife, Loretta, Joseph was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Donald Bidwell; his sister-in-law, Rutheda (Bidwell) Hibbins; and his nephew, David Bidwell. Joseph F. Foy, was born an only child, but had many cousins. His grandfather was first generation immigrant from Ireland who then had 10 children. Both Joe's father and father-in-law were World War I veterans. Joe witnessed affects World War I and three purple hearts had on his father who fought battles at Somme, Flanders Belgium, Argonne Forest, Metz, and La Havre. Yet, just 17 years old and half way through high school, working as a technician (condenser tester) at Jackson Bros. Radio Service, Joe enlisted as Apprentice Seaman in the U.S. Naval Service-Coast Guard, with four older cousins already in World War II. Joseph, stationed mainly in Greenland as radio operator, served the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946. He was first an Apprentice Seaman; then, Seaman 2nd Class; and then Petty Officer 3rd Class - RM 3/C (or Radioman 3rd Class); having completed Student Radioman School; HF/DF (or high frequency direction finder) and Code Flags. No Purple Hearts, but considered 'one lucky guy'; narrowly escaped three times: His own ship, traveling thru Gibraltar, was broadsided by an ammunition ship, hitting dead center at the bunk next to his own; his ship was towed by the Navy to Bermuda for repairs. Another time, he was trapped head first in a snow bank, found and suffered pneumonia. Third, he was to return to the states with 29 men. Instead, he and 3 others were ordered to leave earlier aboard a ship, while the remaining were detained to guard against potential Russian attack. Joe learned 50 years later, the other men never made it home; their plane went down. Joe was honorably discharged with: American Area Medal, Victory Medal and European African Middle East Area Medal. After returning home, he worked at Western Union Telegraph Company, and graduated in 1948 at Dickinson High, focusing on Electrical studies. He then left Jersey City, New Jersey in April 1948 for further education in Fort Wayne, Ind. After finding work at Kroger Bakery, he pursued his first degree at Indiana Institute of Technology, using the GI bill, which paid for school plus $75 per month. He rented a house, shared with five other guys at a cost to him of $48/month. On Christmas breaks 1948-1950, went to Jersey and worked at the post office. He also worked a year at United Vacuum Cleaners. By 1952 he had completed all course work but one class. He remained in Fort Wayne, ended his sales of sweepers and began work at Magnavox. He met Loretta Irene Bidwell in March 1952, at a Dance Hall near Calhoun and Williams Sts.; was engaged to be married in April and married Loretta in August. His first child arrived the next year. In 1953, while still at Magnavox, started own business F&R Appliance Sales and Service, with George Reagan, at Chute St. and Maumee Ave. Distributor, A. B. Gray, told Joe upon delivery, that Joe just sold the first color television set in Fort Wayne, Ind. and the regional district. He completed his first college degree at IIT in 1955, a year before his second child arrived. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering (minor, Electrical Engineering). Joe had two more children, and continued at Magnavox as an Electronic Product Engineer. While Magnavox's military division had a focus on the navy, Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation had a focus on the radio for the Air Corps. After 12 years at Magnavox, he left to join Syncro Corp. as Plant Superintendent, in 1964. Beginning in late 1950s, Syncro produced electrolytic capacitors for the electronics industry in two plants in Edgerton and Hicksville, Ohio. A couple years later, Joe moved to the north side of town and began working at General Telephone & Electronics Corporation. He was a Senior Transmission Engineer & Program Implementation Administrator. During his 18 years at GTE, he continued his studies and completed two more college degrees at St Francis College: Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, 1968; and Master of Science Business Administration, 1974. After leaving GTE, started Blue Star Realty, as Owner/Operator until 2017. Joseph greatly contributed to Fort Wayne's revitalization: walked many door-to-door campaigns; made a powerful run for political office, as City County Council, winning the primary on the Republican ticket; and ran for State Representative. Joe was very influential in the success of State Street Merchants area; he headed the fight for proper location of a neighborhood fire station, for residential down zoning, for retaining the State School Dedication Monument. Joe pushed for parks; keeping the Allen County Jail from being placed on State Street. The location is now known as Bob Arnold Park, instead of the Allen County jail. Joe was significant in placing park fountains, and cleaning up of the city's three rivers. He was a major force behind Citizens' Crime Watch. He led a Candidates Forum in Fort Wayne and served as Inspector at multiple election precincts. Joe Foy was Board Member of: Sand Bag Coalition, Allen County Economic Opportunity Council Inc. (appointed by Allen county commissioner), Fort Wayne Advisory Board (CETA - appointed by Mayor Robert Armstrong and retained by Mayor Winfield Moses), Lake Wawasee Marine Land Gardens Community Assoc., and General Credit Union. Joseph was selected for a round table meeting with President Ronald Reagan; he served as Board Chairman of Selective Service Draft Board, and as a steering committee member for Northeast Area Partnership of neighborhoods. He was Vice President of Neighborhood Alliance Council, which sponsored a weekly one-hour TV program on Channel 10. Joe was Canterbury Green Toastmasters Club 857's President; Toastmasters International, Area 1 Governor, and Toastmasters Club 159's President. In that capacity, he presented a half hour radio program, the "Average Joe" Show on "Windows on Fort Wayne", consisting of Round Table discussions, Interviews with city officials, Call-in Answer and Question sessions, and a Series of programs on such subjects as juvenile delinquency, city planning and other current topics of the time. Joe was Treasurer for Committee to Restore Basic Education; Chairman of Annual Election year Political Forum; a Steering Committee Member of Northeast Area Partnership of Neighborhoods. And he was Board Member, President and Founder of Northside Neighborhood Association, created in 1975, one of Fort Wayne's largest, covering 861 acres. Additional involvements were: Lake Wawasee Crowe's Nest Yacht Club, Board Member and Commodore; Neighborhood Awards Selection Committee, Member; American Legion post 47, Member; St. Jude Catholic Church, Member; Bishop Dwenger Music Booster Club, President; N.E. Indiana Board of Realtors; and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Instructor. He enjoyed participating in Living History Day at North Central High School, Indianapolis. Joe spoke to students about: his military service, military service opportunities, academics, and the 1930s Depression. Joe walked a mile a day through his 95th year, weather permitting, down to Lakeside Park and back to his 1911 home, purchased 57 years ago. He sailed his 23 foot O'Day thru the age of 90. He loved the company of his son and daughters, their children, and his pal Trixy, the cat. He never seemed to take a break; never owned a new vehicle, but sent his four children to parochial schools. No expensive vacations, but plenty sledding, skating, swimming and band instruments. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He marched Memorial Day parades wearing his World War II cap and carrying a neighborhood association banner. He was God's child, driven to provide value to society. The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel noted Joseph's volunteerism in an article November14, 2007. "It's just unfortunate that every neighborhood doesn't have a Joe Foy." The Northside Neighborhood board had declared that year as "Year of Joe Foy". This was in recognition for all his efforts, something usually done when one retires from service. The board didn't wait, realizing Joe would never retire from service to others. As Dan Wire of Fort Wayne said, "He is as honest and sincere as the day is long, and always puts the good of the neighbors before himself." Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 2130 Pemberton Dr., 46805, with calling one hour prior. Calling also from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 at Covington Funeral Home, 8408 Covington Road. He will be laid to rest at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorials may be made to (Joseph Foy in memo): American Legion Dept. of Indiana (include in memo: Hoosier Boys State); Evans Scholars Foundation; 2501 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026-8022 or www.wgaesf.org; Engineering Dean's Excellence Fund; Indiana Institute Technology, 1600 E Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne 46803; University of Saint Francis of Fort Wayne Indiana Inc., Fort Wayne Animal Control & Care, 3020 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne 46808.