Obituary for Michael Joseph Foley MICHAEL JOSEPH FOLEY BORN MAY 11, 1932 DUBLIN, IRELAND On September 4, 2018, in the quite of the night, Mike and his family’s prayers were answered. Christ our Savior brought Mike to Him. Mike was born and raised in Dublin Ireland.
He has had an amazing life full of trials, adventures, and many loves. At the early age of 15, he enlisted into the Irish Army, and served 3 years. As a young adolescent, he discovered a love of boxing.
Post his service in the Army, he became a welter weight in Dublin and London and boxed competitively. For extra money he worked two jobs part time; Ford Motor Company and Lotus Racing Cars, as a frame fabricator. After securing work he sent for his fiancé’ Carmel Harris to come to London where they married.
Opportunity to go to America was presented to him in 1957. Mike decided to send Carmel and their first born son, Michael to her family in Dublin, to secure work in the States. Mike sailed to New York to meet up with his brother Tom Foley.
Together, they joined the building trades and found work in Canada, then later in Ohio, as welders. His trade later brought him to New York, where he sent for his wife and son to come to America. Bouncing between New York and Ohio working nuclear plants, their second son, Desmond was born.
Settling back in New York, working as a boiler maker, their daughter Caroline and a third son, Raymond was born. As work in the 70’s, dried up, Mike went on the road to Washington State, working in the Pacific Northwest Power Plants and Hanford. He decided to move the family in 1976 where he purchased a home on the Yakima River, in Prosser Washington.
One of his greatest loves was living in Washington. In 1983, Mike went back to New York to finish out his career. Finally retiring in 1994, he came back to his home in Washington.
His great love of books, music, gardening and home remodeling projects. Mike never sat still; his philosophy was clean living and working out in the gym every morning. He enjoyed road trips around the state visiting sights and towns and to see his kids and grandkids.
Mike’s trade legacy as a welder Boilermaker and then a Steamfitter, left a trail of 3 sons and 4 grandsons following in his footsteps of the trade. In 2007, at 74, Mike decided to move to Tri Cities. Of all the homes he could choose, he purchases one that needed a complete remodeling.
Within 2 years, their home was transformed with beautiful gardens and a large deck for him to sit on each evening. He would always say, “You can get high on the sunsets in Washington”. His dedication to family and his integrity will be hard to live up to.
Mike will be greatly missed by all for his positive outlook on life and his willingness to reach out and help anyone in need. He left us to believe he truly lived a great life, and we are certain, we were blessed knowing and loving him. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carmel.
Three sons; Michael (Brenda), Desmond (Carol), Raymond (Un) Foley, one daughter Caroline Bowen (Fred). 10 grandchildren; Jennifer Grey (Jessie), Katie Paul (Zac), Sean Foley (Catherine), Brian Foley, Brendan Foley (Katelyn), Devon Foley. Derek Eves (Candace), Dylan Eves, Aliase, and Kalum.
7 Great grandchildren; Andrew, Mason, Ayden, Conor, Declan, Quinn, and Tristan. Michael is preceded in death by his mother and father; Tom and Teresa Foley and brothers; Desmond, Thomas, and Gerald Foley. From our hearts, an enormous thanks to the staff of Guardian Angels in Richland.
Their love for their work, patients and families was amazing to witness, and will never be forgotten. They cared for Mike, “Blue eyes”, as if he was their family. They picked us up when we were broken over a 3 year period.
With tears and laughter, Dad left with many stories that will be forever told. Thank you, Tri City Chaplaincy Hospice team. There are no words that can describe the care, love, and professionalism they showed to Mike and us.
They too, comforted us, laugh and cried with us. They truly do Gods work. ERIN GO BRAGH (IRELAND FOREVER) To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Michael Joseph Foley please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Memorial Service , OCT 5. 02:00 PM – 04:00 PM Hillcrest Memorial Center 9353 West Clearwater Avenue Kennewick, WA, US, 99336 info@hillcrestmemorialcenter.com hillcrestmemorialcenter.com Order Flowers for the Memorial Service Guaranteed delivery before Michael’s Memorial Service begins.
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