Maurice Foley

Maurice John Foley passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 6, 2006 at his home in Lakeport, Michigan at the age of 81. Maurice was born September 28, 1924 in Fenton, MI. He graduated from Fenton High School in 1942, B.A. degree from the University of Western Ontario, Windsor Ontario, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1942. At the completion of the war, he remained in the Naval Reserve until 1958. He fought in WWII as a Lt. JG on the LST 467 in the Pacific theater. He had an entrepreneurial spirit that included restaurant ownership, heavy equipment landscaping & sports coaching. He was Fort Gratiot Township Supervisor (1980-1988) and a St. Clair County Road Commissioner (1988-2000). However, he was best known as a schoolteacher of mathematics in the Detroit and Port Huron School districts for 39 years. He was an exceptional husband, father and outstanding role model for his children and students, using his sense of humor, demonstrating great humility, generosity, respect and dignity for all. Mr Foley received special awards and recognition for his 45 years of service to St. Vincent dePaul and to the Vincentians. Maurice is survived by his wife, Yvonne Wilson Foley; sisters, Mary Justine Billig, St. Louis MI, Elizabeth (John) McGraw, Saginaw MI, Anne Day, Mesa AZ, Frances (Joseph) Markley, Pointe Au Gres MI and Grace Kerlin, Pinconning MI. He is also survived by 6 children, Tim (Anne) Foley, Ann Arbor MI , John (Barbara) Foley, Wixom MI, Edward (Janie) Foley, McHenry IL, Mary Foley (Danny Griggs), Howell MI , Martha Foley (Daniel) Fredendall, Livonia MI and Matthew (Paula) Foley, El Cajon CA His survivors also include 17 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 3 stepchildren, Susan (Larry) Katonak, Madison OH, David Wilson Troy MI, Martha (Paul) Szelog, Beaver Creek OH and his beloved dog, Sam. He is preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Therese ; His parents, John & Alice Foley; brother & sister-in-law Martin & Delphine Foley; brothers-in-law, Jerry Day, Thomas Billig, nephew John Day and stepson Michael Wilson. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM, Monday, September 11th at St. Edwards on the Lake Catholic Church. The Rev. Thomas F. Esper will officiate. Interment of his ashes will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-4p.m. and 7-9 p.m Sunday at Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, 1720 Elk St. Port Huron. The Holy Rosary will be prayed on Sunday at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Society of Saint Vincent DePaul, Capuchin Missions, Detroit, MI or the Mid City Nutrition Center of Port Huron.