Patrick Joseph Foley

PATRICK JOSEPH FOLEY, age 93, of Columbus, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, Columbus, Ohio. He was born November 25, 1930 in Yonkers, New York to his parents, the late Margaret (O'Brien) Foley and Declan Foley. His brothers, Declan, Edward, and William, sister, Eileen, and brother-in-law, John Hone preceded him in death. His family is takes comfort that they are reunited in heaven. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kathleen (Fisher) with whom he celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on April 8. His greatest joy were his two daughters. Kathleen and Donald Coffey, Westerville, and Kelly (George) Campbell, Worthington. He also leaves behind six adored grandchildren who will miss his first-thing-in-the-morning birthday wake up calls: John Declan (J.D.) (Stephanie Ortega) Coffey, Benjamin (Erin) Coffey, Joshua (Noelle) Coffey, Alexander Campbell, Zachary Campbell, and Anne Campbell. He also leaves behind loved sisters-in-law, Linda (Bill) Foley, Linda Scofield, Joanne Hone, Kathleen Hojnacki, and brother-in-law, John Fisher. He also left behind many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss his humor and great stories.
Pat was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Graduate of Cathedral College (1949), Manhattan, NY, Fordham University (BA and MA), NY, NY and all but dissertation for his PhD in history from The Ohio State University. Owner of Foley Foods in Columbus, Oh until 1991, a whole sale distributer of fresh fruits and vegetables. He was also employed by, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Yonkers, NY, Wilson Jones, PA, United States Post Office, U.S. Census bureau, Giant Eagle, and served as a poll worker for many years. He taught History to everyone he met, but formally at The Ohio State University (main and Marion campuses) as well as the Pontifical College Josephinium. A member of St. Mary Magdalene parish since 1967, where he helped found the SMM food pantry (later the West Side food pantry), counted collections, lectored, and aided the parish however he could. A board member (serving as Vice President, Chair of Grant Committee) of the Marian Foundation for over 40 years, a charitable trust which aids and supports area service organizations for education, scientific, religious, and charitable programs through grants. He benefitted from the programs of the Desert Island Club, Columbus, and sought to further their programs for addiction recovery. He and Kathy were members of the Christian Family Movement (CFM).
He would want the late Dr. Halloran, Yonkers, NY, Dr. John Fisher, Cardiologist, Columbus, Oh, and Dr. Mark RIcaurdi, GP., Columbus, Ohio to know how deeply grateful he was for their care of his leg, his heart, and his general wellbeing.
He enjoyed good stories, good food, and bad jokes. He was the best friend to people he had known forever and the people he just met. His phone contact list included classmates from eighty years ago, his doctors' home numbers, and his favorite cashiers at Giant Eagle, and family and friends spread far and wide. He was the first wholesaler to ship Kiwi fruit to central Ohio. His intellect and personality were prodigious, but his best quality was his capacity for love, which he shared with family, friends, and all who met him.
His family will receive friends on Saturday, May 4 from 9:30 - 11:30 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 473 South Roys Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204. Rosary at 11:30. His funeral Mass will follow at noon at St. Mary Magdalene. His interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Lewis Center, Ohio, will follow on Monday, May 6, at 9:30 a.m. Patrick requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Marian Foundation, c/o St. Mary Magdalene, 473 South Roys Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204,
COOK & SON - PALLAY FUNERAL HOME serving the family.
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