Andrew Bryan "Andy" Foy

Andrew Bryan Foy grew up in Barrington, Illinois, surrounded by a large family. He loved baseball from a young age, playing Knothole and Little League while dreaming of becoming the second baseman for the Cubs. Andy swam for Barrington High School and spent his summers teaching swimming lessons and lifeguarding. Music was vital to Andy: starting with classic rock, his tastes evolved into a deep appreciation of obscure Indie bands. His humor was quick and filled his people's lives with laughter. While pursuing an Honors Degree in English at Marquette University, Andy developed a passion for service. He proudly lived the Marquette mantra "Be the Difference," serving as a leader in the Volunteer Corps. He went on to Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and received the medical student neurosurgery prize. Andy then completed his neurosurgical training at Mayo Clinic, and was a Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation fellow, followed by a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Since 2011, Andy was an attending at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where he rose to the rank of Professor. Andy deeply valued his colleagues and staff at MCW. Andy adored his patients, often sharing stories and little details that made each child's journey unique. While his clinical focus was neurooncology and spina bifida, Andy took pride in mastering much of neurosurgery. He pioneered fetal meningocele repair in Wisconsin and championed lifespan care, finding great joy in watching his patients grow up. He was an advocate for ending healthcare disparities and improving the lives of patients, proudly working with Spina Bifida Wisconsin and the Global Alliance for the Prevention of Spina Bifida-Folate. Andy brought immense joy to his family. Whether sipping coffee while talking by Lake Michigan or watching a band at a summer festival, he shared a rich friendship with his wife, Michelle. He loved teaching Annika about baseball and offering thoughtful advice as she prepared for university and beyond. Together, the three travelled the world, discovering great food, enjoying the arts, and hiking in the wild (but always sleeping indoors). An advocate of native prairies, Andy began by rewilding his own backyard, then turned his attention to Michelle's. He enthusiastically recruited Annika to harvest seeds each fall, nurtured them in the basement, and the family planted them in spring. Andy is predeceased by his grandmother, Mary Hondo, and his great-uncle, Leonard Capulli, both of whom he admired deeply for their kindness and warmth (as well as his other grandparents, Berney Hondo and June and George Foy). He is survived by many beloved family members including his parents Mary and Larry Foy, who provided many opportunities, and his sister Heather Foy, whose thoughtful nature he appreciated. His cousin Brooke Rogers was a lifelong companion in laughter, and his cousin Kimmy Broders was a loving and warm supporter. Andy passed away peacefully at home. He was appreciative of his care at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Mayo Clinic.