Michael Edward Foley's Obituary
Michael Edward Foley
Our courageous and noble husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and dear friend passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in Fircrest on July 25th, the day after his 92nd birthday. He was born July 24, 1916, in Palo Alto, Pennsylvania to Michael J. and Bridget (Moran), the second child in a family of eleven children. During World War II, he met and married the love of his life, Wilma Jeanne (Epperson), in Rockport, Missouri. Approximately two years later, with two of their five children in hand, they moved to Washington with the promise of a job in the Bremerton Naval Ship Yard. After moving to Tacoma, Michael became employed at the Tacoma Smelter (ASARCO). During a labor strike, to provide for his family, he began painting houses, and for the next several years became a master craftsman, working for other companies and then on his own for several years. He returned to the Tacoma Smelter, from which he retired in 1981. His many hobbies included golf, bowling, gardening, and cooking. He was a cook in the Army and carried this talent forward to become a specialty cook that could put any Italian restaurant to shame! He loved to regale family and friends with stories of his past adventures. He was a champion of all furry critters and spent many joyful hours watching them romp and play. He loved to dance and was a talented musician. He is currently being accepted into the OChoir of Angels' because of his rich Irish tenor. His sense of humor was non-paralleled, as was his generosity and kindness to family as well as strangers. He learned, from an early age, the value of friendship, hard work, and dedication to one's principles. He would demonstrate throughout his life that "a man's word was his worth and his bond." We would be remiss if we did not mention his love of his Church and his dedication to the Catholic Religion. He was truly honored to serve as candle lighter and cross bearer during both Saturday Evening Mass at Saint Joseph's Church and Sunday Mass at Holy Rosary Church. Surviving are his wife Wilma Jeanne, sons Edward, Michael (wife Marilyn), Dennis; daughters Lynda (husband Fred), Patricia (husband Duane); grandchildren Michelle, Michael, Debbie and Sean; 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 11AM August 2, 2008 at Holy Rosary Church. Proverbs 12:2 (RSV) "A Good Man Obtains Favor From the Lord." In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the Franciscan Hospice House for the kind and respectful care of our loved one and the assistance to the family as Michael prepared to make his final journey into the hands of his Lord and Savior.
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