Bill (William P.) Foley, Jr., died on Nov. 26, 2024, of congestive heart failure at the Bailey Center for Caring in St. Augustine, FL with his loving and devoted wife, Ginger, and three sons and grandson Connor at his side.
He was born in Auburn on Aug. 11, 1937, the son of the late Dr. William P. Foley and Veronica Brennan Foley. He was baptized at Holy Family Church and remained a parishioner there until permanently moving to St. Augustine in 2019 and joining St. Anastasia Church.
Bill attended Holy Family school in Auburn, graduating in 1955. From there he went on to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and received the degree of Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering in 1960 from RPI.
During his senior year he met Ginger (Virginia) DiNuzzo. Ginger and Bill were married on July 7, 1962. Throughout their 62 years together he frequently acknowledged that the best choice he ever made was Ginger. In 1963 they started their family. Together they raised three sons, with Bill providing the wherewithal for a comfortable (but not extravagant) lifestyle and Ginger instilling the moral values and wisdom to sustain them for the rest of their lives.
Bill learned to skate at Rensselaer under the tutelage of the legendary RPI hockey coach Ned Harkness. In 1970 Bill became active in youth hockey. He joined the Auburn Hockey Club and coached his sons on several teams over the next few years. He also was one of the group of people who established the Snowbelt Youth Hockey League.
Throughout his adult life Bill loved the game of golf and took a special interest in the rules of golf. He was a member of the Skaneateles Country Club for over 30 years and since 2004 a member of the Marsh Creek Country Club in St. Augustine. He was too modest to mention it, but he achieved the elusive “hole-in-one” three times, on holes 8, 10 and 13 at Skaneateles.
In 1990, with Ginger’s support, Bill purchased the Builder’s Choice Lumber Company in Auburn. He became a member of the Northeast Retail Lumber Dealers Association and served in offices in the Central New York affiliate and the parent Northeast Association, encompassing New York and the six New England States. He thoroughly enjoyed the lumber industry and the friendship and respect of his peers throughout the Northeast.
After assuring the college education for their sons, Bill and Ginger enjoyed visiting the U.S. National Parks. They greatly appreciated the experience of seeing over 50 parks from Florida to Alaska.
Besides his parents, Bill was predeceased by his sisters, Markey (Margaret Ringwood) and Cathy (Catherine Laskey). He is survived by Ginger and their three sons, Matthew (Suzanne) of Atlanta, Michael of Naples, FL, and Christopher (Pei) of Los Angeles and six grandchildren, Connor (Courtney), Megan (Kevin), Emily, Luke, Stephanie and Valerie and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Those wishing to do so may contribute in Bill’s memory to:
Bailey Center for Caring, 200 Health Park Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32086
Bill would like to be remembered as a faithful Catholic husband, a wise unselfish father and a proud citizen of the United States of America.
There will be no calling hours. Bill’s funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Anastasia Church at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, and his mortal remains will be inurned in the North Columbarium on the St. Anastasia campus following the mass. There will be a celebration of life following the service at Marsh Creek Country Club.
Those desiring may leave messages of sympathy and encouragement by going to his tribute page at: stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com. St. Johns Family Funeral Home of St. Augustine, FL, is assisting the family with arrangements.