Martin C. Foye, Sr., 87, of Elizabeth, N.J., passed away peacefully on Friday, January 11, 2019, at the Father Hudson Hospice in Elizabeth. He was known for his fun and playful approach to life, always happy to sing Irish songs or to tell and create comical stories. Martin was a loving husband of 59 years, father, proud grandfather, and a friend to many.
Martin was born in Carniara, Tubbercurry, County Sligo, Ireland, as the youngest of 8 children, all now deceased. He spent much of his youth chasing rabbits at the Hill of Knocknashea, catching salmon in the River Moy, weaving tall tales with his family and neighbors, and doing God only knows what else. Martin immigrated to New Jersey in 1952 and soon authored a song about the George Washington Bridge, with its many verses.
He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War. He then worked as a bus driver for NJ Transit for 38 years, often playfully asking pedestrians for directions, to the dismay of gullible passengers on the bus. Martin loved his darling wife Mary from the ‘top of the hill’ in County Kerry, Ireland.
And she she adored him back, often saying that she married the man of her dreams, with his heart of gold. They met after Mary spotted the handsome bus driver and then they courted at McGovern’s in Newark and other Irish dances. He loved their 5 children and 3 grandchildren.
He loved Ireland, America, and Elizabeth, NJ. Martin is survived by his loving wife Mary (Mahony) Foye, his 5 children: Maureen and her husband Matthew Murphy, Marty and his wife Marcia, Michael, Sean, Patrick and his wife Sarah, and his 3 grandchildren: Madison, Mackenzie, and Adam. Martin’s many nieces, nephews, other relatives, fellow Ancient Order of Hibernians, and other friends will warmly remember his lively wit, his twinkling blue eyes, his kindness, his decorative shamrocks and abundant shillelaghs, the hole in the trunk of his car so his Irish setter could stick her head out, and him always being willing to lend a helping hand to friends and strangers alike.
A wake and celebration of Martin’s life will be held on Sunday, January 13, 2019,from 4-8pm at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 E St Georges Ave, Linden, NJ 07036, across from Warinanco Park. krowickifuneralhome.com. Bring your favorite stories.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 14, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 155 Washington Ave, Elizabeth, followed by a burial at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia. Please spread the news, especially to those who are not online. Also, please comment with your best stories about Martin as we all celebrate his life.
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