Joseph Frank Foy

Fort Wayne ? Joseph Foy, 98, died Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Marion VA Medical Center, Marion, Indiana. Calling is 4-8 p.m., Thursday, August 3, 2023 at Covington Funeral Home, 8408 Covington Road. Funeral Service is 10:30, Friday, August 4, 2023 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 2130 Pemberton Dr., 46805, with calling one hour prior. He will be laid to rest at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. He was born to Joseph Aloysius Foy and Mary Elsa (Krumholz) Foy in 1925, in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in Jersey City, but lived most years in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as an Engineer in the Electronics industry. His father, decorated with the Purple Heart, was Foreman for Jersey City Dept of Public Works. His mother was a Head Bookkeeper. His wife of almost 65 years, Loretta Irene (Bidwell) Foy, died in March 2017. Loretta was born in Garrett, IN, 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 an only child, but had many cousins. At 17 years of age, part way through high school, and working as technician at Jackson Bros. Radio Service, Joe enlisted as Apprentice Seaman in the U.S. Naval Service-Coast Guard, with four older cousins already in WWII. Joseph, stationed mainly in Greenland as radio operator, served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946. He was 1st an Apprentice Seaman, then, Seaman 2nd Class, then Petty Officer 3rd Class - RM 3/C (or Radioman 3rd Class). He was honorably discharged and received entitlement to: American Area Medal, Victory Medal and European African Middle East Area Medal. After returning home, he worked at Western Union Telegraph Company and completed high school at Dickinson High in 1948. Joseph moved to Fort Wayne, IN. He earned: Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering (minor, Electrical Engineering) degree at Indiana Institute of Technology, 1955; Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, 1968; and Master of Science in Business Administration, 1974 at St Francis College. Work included: Kroger Bakery, Jersey City Post Office, United Vacuum Cleaners, Magnavox, F&R Appliance Sales & Service (he sold the area's first color tv), Syncro Corp, General Telephone & Electronics Corporation, and Blue Star Realty. He met Loretta Bidwell March 1952, at a Dance Hall on Calhoun, was engaged in April and married Loretta in August. They had four children, all attending St Patrick, then St Jude and Bishop Dwenger. Joseph greatly contributed to Ft Wayne's revitalization: ran for political office, as City County Council, winning primary; and as State Representative. He was selected for a Ft Wayne round table meeting with President Ronald Reagan. He held numerous positions as Board Chairman, President and more for a countless number of entities in Ft Wayne, and at Lake Wawasee (he loved sailing). He was also part of a TV program and radio show. Joe never owned a new vehicle, but engaged his family in plenty sledding, skating, swimming and band instruments. He was a devoted husband, and loving parent. Fort Wayne News-Sentinel noted Joseph's volunteerism in a Nov 14, 2007 article. "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". 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, Ft Wayne 46803; University of Saint Francis of Fort Wayne Indiana Inc; Fort Wayne Animal Control & Care, 3020 Hillegas Rd, Ft Wayne 46808. Please visit covingtonmemorial.com for full obituary.