John Francis Foley

NORTH CANAAN — John Francis Foley, 58, passed away July 7, 2009, at Saint Francis Hospital. He was the husband of Robin (Luminati) Foley.

John was born in Great Barrington, Mass., the son of Mary (Ostapko) and Francis Nugent “Mike� Foley.

He lived all his life in North Canaan.  John was a communicant of Saint Joseph’s Church, where he served as an alter boy.

He graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1968.  While attending Housatonic, he was a member of the first golf team and served as team captain. He also played varsity basketball.  

He graduated in 1972 from Marist College cum laude with a BA in European history. He spent his junior year in France where he studied at the Sorbonne.

After college, his first job was driving trucks for Dickinson’s Express, then he was employed by Gandolfo Sweeper Service.

John began his banking career at the Canaan National Bank in 1976. He moved on to New Milford Savings Bank in 1980. He has spent the past 25 years at Salisbury Bank and Trust, serving as chief financial officer and treasurer since 2005.  While employed at the bank, John owned and operated Tri-state Catch Basin Cleaners and was a partner in Canaan Auto Supply, Inc.

John loved music and particularly enjoyed dancing and playing the piano.  He was a member of a bowling league at The Cove in Great Barrington. He served on the Board of Directors of the Railroad Historical Society and was actively involved in the reconstruction of the Canaan Union Station. John served as the treasurer of the Canaan Fire District.  

He had a great love for any kind of motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, four-wheelers and classic cars.  

John was an avid golfer.  His first job was at the Canaan Country Club at age 12 as a greenskeeper for Billy Michaels. He was a member of Wyantnuck Country Club.  He was the men’s champion of the Centennial Member/Member Tournament in 1996.  He participated in a league at the Canaan Country Club.  

John served under Ed McGuire as deputy fire marshall for the town of North Canaan, beginning in 1995, prior to becoming fire marshall in July 2000.  

John served as a member of the Canaan Fire Company for 32 years.  He was awarded the “Chief’s Awardâ€� in 1994, 2000 and 2002 for outstanding contributions. During his 32 years, he served as vice president and president of the company. John held the line officer positions of first lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and deputy chief before being elected chief in December 2008.

He was a devoted husband, father, brother and uncle. In addition to his wife of 27 years, he is survived by his sons, Michael John Foley and Ryan Charles Foley of North Canaan; and his sisters, Rosanne Hower of Lakeville and Maureen Maurer of Meriden, Conn.  

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, July 11, at noon in St. Joseph’s Church, 4 Main St., North Canaan.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, on Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.  

Memorial donations may be made to the North Canaan Fire Department, POBox 642, North Canaan, CT 06018. 

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