In Memory of Walter T. Foley

Obituary

Walter T. Foley, age 93, of New Hartford NY, died March 25, 2025, at Hildebrandt Hospice Center in Rochester, NY. He was born June 26, 1931, in Utica, the only child of the late Walter R. and Grace K. McMahon Foley.

He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grade School and graduated from St. Francis High School as the class Valedictorian. He began his higher education at Cornell University, his father’s Alma Mater, where he was president of his Freshman class and a member of Delta Chi Fraternity. After two years at Cornell, Walt attended Fordham University then NYU from which he graduated with a BS in Economics. He was a member of the ROTC throughout. Always invited, and often attending, Cornell’s Class of ‘53 alumni reunions, Walter kept a lifelong connection to Cornell University.

Upon graduation, Walt was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force at the Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. On his first evening at the base Walter met his wife, A. Theresa (Terry) Donoghue, an Army Nurse who had joined a group of Air Force nurses at the Officers Club. They married on January 22, 1955, at Base Chapel II at Ft. Sam Houston. Ultimately stationed in Loring, Maine Walt spoke fondly of playing recreational hockey.

Denied his wish to be a pilot in the Air Force by the many AF pilots returning from Korea, he was Captain of the maintenance crew and earned his private pilots license in his free time. He kept the license up to date many years after leaving the Air Force and loved to tell how he flew a private rental plane under the Brooklyn Bridge.

After serving in the Air Force, Walter returned to the Utica area and worked for Thomas G. McMahon Grocery Wholesale, the business founded by his maternal grandfather. Following mergers and buy outs, Walt later transferred to Super Foods Services and retired in 1993.

Walt was active throughout his life as a swimmer, lifeguard, swim coach, bicyclist, boater, golfer, and skier. He was both an avid reader and avid Bridge player. He enjoyed solving Sudoku puzzles.

Walter was a member of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Yahnundasis Golf Club and US Masters Swimming where he competed in 150 meets. Additionally, he competed in the now defunct Empire State Games. He regularly used the pool at Mohawk Valley Community College until the COVID pandemic closed it down.

Walter had an artistic nature, including but not limited to his barn sketches, his woodworking, and his photography. He had a wonderful eye for color and setting, taking many beautiful photographs throughout the years. His life long love of the Adirondacks and wildlife made the Adirondack Park the most prolific of his photo sites. He really enjoyed spending his time in the Adirondacks and with animals of all kinds. He talked fondly of the memories of spending summers there with his grandparents from childhood through his teens. He ultimately designed, and with a local contractor, built an A-Frame house on Twin Pond enjoying it for nearly fifty years. He also enjoyed attending Catholic Mass at St. Bartholomew in Old Forge and having dinner at Billy’s and Slickers.

For decades Walt donated generously to many charitable organizations and civic projects too numerous to list. Many individuals benefited from his friendship, advice and financial support and held him in high esteem.

Walter is survived by his son, Thomas M. (Joy) Foley of Mt. Orab, OH; granddaughter, Felicia M. Foley (David) Middleton and great-granddaughter Audrey S. Middleton of Cincinnati, OH; a niece who was like a daughter, Margie Bower and her husband Gary, niece Jeanne (Marshall) Trionfero; nephews, Phillip (Toni) Grasso and Lloyd (Alice) Smith; Felicia’s mother, who was like a daughter to Walter, Angela Kramer and her partner Robert Sopko; dearly treasured friends Maureen Hughes, Bill Baumann, and Dorothy Harris; the many swimmers at Mohawk Valley Community College; and his long standing Bridge group.

Walter was predeceased by his parents, Walter R. and Grace McMahon Foley; his wife Terry; niece Becky Master and her husband, Herk.

The funeral mass will be held on Monday, March 31,2025, at 10:00AM, at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Genesee St., Utica. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday, March 30,2025, from 4:00-6:00PM at the Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude in Walter’s name.

For online expressions of sympathy go to www.fwefh.com