Obituary for John Joseph Foley
John Joseph Foley
May 11, 1929 – November 6, 2021
It is with profound sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss that we announce the death of John Joseph Foley in his 93rd year. John was a dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.
A lifelong Oshawa resident, John grew up here and started his own plumbing business at a young age. Over the years, J. Foley Plumbing grew to eventually provide services from Windsor to Montreal and north to Sudbury. He later became involved in the real estate and land development business with much success. He was the last living of the original developers from the early Oshawa days. An astute business man, he also made many longtime friends during his career.
John was a member of the Oshawa Golf Club, the Oshawa Tennis Club and also enjoyed sailing, cycling, fishing and spending time at his cottage on Cameron Lake. Tennis became his favourite sport and he played well into his eightieth year with the Oshawa and Fenelon Falls Tennis clubs.
John was a devout Catholic and a lifelong member of St. Gregory the Great Church. He would attend mass daily until he was unable to drive there. He was a good and kind man who is now finally at peace after suffering for many years from the effects of dementia and then Alzheimers. Though the disease took a great deal of his memories away, he was content and had a gentle nature. The staff at McLaughlin Bay –Wynfields LTC Home would always say how much they liked John. Betty and the family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff there who took great care of him.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Betty. He was in love until the end and when he was unresponsive to anyone else, he would still light up when Betty was there. Cherished father to Frank (Terese), Mark (Debbie), Mike (Jill), Mary Jo Bathe (Michael) and Linda Givelas (Dave). John is pre-deceased by his grandchildren Kristen and William, his brother Frank, and his sisters Audrey Mowat and Doreen Ross.
Loved by his many grandchildren, Eric (Ha), Andrew, Kathryn, Jordan (Jasmine), Brent (Megan), Michael, Cole, Jarrett (Brittney), Kendra (Kevin), Gregory (Sarah), Marley (Sam), Georgia (Michael) and Aaron (Lindsay) as well as his great grandchildren Sage, Riley and Robbie.
John, you were one of a kind. Your love of life and your hearty laugh will remain in our hearts forever.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home (124 King St. E., Oshawa). A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. All attendees must be double vaccinated and will be required to show proof of vaccination and identification. Masks are mandatory. Registration for contact tracing is required. Please register at www.armstrongfh.ca or by calling 905-433-4711.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Hearth Place. Online condolences may be left at www.armstrongfh.ca
May 11, 1929 – November 6, 2021
It is with profound sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss that we announce the death of John Joseph Foley in his 93rd year. John was a dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.
A lifelong Oshawa resident, John grew up here and started his own plumbing business at a young age. Over the years, J. Foley Plumbing grew to eventually provide services from Windsor to Montreal and north to Sudbury. He later became involved in the real estate and land development business with much success. He was the last living of the original developers from the early Oshawa days. An astute business man, he also made many longtime friends during his career.
John was a member of the Oshawa Golf Club, the Oshawa Tennis Club and also enjoyed sailing, cycling, fishing and spending time at his cottage on Cameron Lake. Tennis became his favourite sport and he played well into his eightieth year with the Oshawa and Fenelon Falls Tennis clubs.
John was a devout Catholic and a lifelong member of St. Gregory the Great Church. He would attend mass daily until he was unable to drive there. He was a good and kind man who is now finally at peace after suffering for many years from the effects of dementia and then Alzheimers. Though the disease took a great deal of his memories away, he was content and had a gentle nature. The staff at McLaughlin Bay –Wynfields LTC Home would always say how much they liked John. Betty and the family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff there who took great care of him.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Betty. He was in love until the end and when he was unresponsive to anyone else, he would still light up when Betty was there. Cherished father to Frank (Terese), Mark (Debbie), Mike (Jill), Mary Jo Bathe (Michael) and Linda Givelas (Dave). John is pre-deceased by his grandchildren Kristen and William, his brother Frank, and his sisters Audrey Mowat and Doreen Ross.
Loved by his many grandchildren, Eric (Ha), Andrew, Kathryn, Jordan (Jasmine), Brent (Megan), Michael, Cole, Jarrett (Brittney), Kendra (Kevin), Gregory (Sarah), Marley (Sam), Georgia (Michael) and Aaron (Lindsay) as well as his great grandchildren Sage, Riley and Robbie.
John, you were one of a kind. Your love of life and your hearty laugh will remain in our hearts forever.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home (124 King St. E., Oshawa). A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. All attendees must be double vaccinated and will be required to show proof of vaccination and identification. Masks are mandatory. Registration for contact tracing is required. Please register at www.armstrongfh.ca or by calling 905-433-4711.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Hearth Place. Online condolences may be left at www.armstrongfh.ca