Obituary for Stephen J. Foley, Sr.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Stephen Joseph Foley
AGE: 88; Brick Township
Stephen J. Foley of Brick passed peacefully into eternal life at home on Thursday, October 15. The son of Adrian and Margaret Foley, Steve was born on March 30, 1927 in New Brunswick. Raised in Parlin and Caldwell, he served in the United States ArmyAir Force during the Second World War. A graduate of St. Benedict's Prep and Seton Hall College, Mr. Foley was a member of the first class to be graduated from Seton Hall Law School in 1954. On June 18, 1955 he married Patricia Harriman. Together, they shared 60 years devoted to love, faith and family.
Mr. Foley began his career as a trial attorney with the Public Service Transport Company. As chair of the junior section of the State Bar Association studying legal representation for indigent criminal defendants, he was instrumental in publishing the report and recommendations which resulted in the legislation creating the Office of the Public Defender. In 1962, Steve moved with his young family to Deal and joined the Asbury Park law firm which became Campbell, Foley, Lee, Murphy & Cernigliaro and continues to practice as Campbell, Foley, Delano & Adams. Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, Steve was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the New Jersey Public Utilities Commission, and the Superior and Supreme Courts of New Jersey. Dedicated to his clients, he was respected by his adversaries and recognized for his civility and professionalism.
Steve was a Life & Exempt member of the New Jersey State Volunteer Fireman's & Relief Associations. He was a former Chief of Deal Fire Company No. 2 and member, counsel and trustee of the Mantoloking Fire Company. During the summer of 1970, without protective gear, he entered a burning home on Hathaway Avenue in Deal and rescued a three year old girl.
Steve was a founding member of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee. In 1976, running on a Pro-Life platform, with future Congressman Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04) as his campaign manager, he challenged then Senator Harrison Williams in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate. He received 20% of the primary vote. An advocate for life, he neither condemned nor vilified those who disagreed with him but sought instead for common ground.
In 1979 he was installed by Pope (now Saint) John Paul II as a Knight of Saint Gregory, the highest papal honor bestowed upon a layman. He was a 2012 recipient of the Saint Thomas More Medal from the Seton Hall University School of Law, an honor also bestowed upon his brother, Adrian "Bud" Foley. Steve was a communicant at Sacred Heart Church, Bay Head and member of the Holy Name Society.
Steve was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Adrian, Jr. and John, his sister, Irene, and his great- grandsons, Myles Joseph and Timothy Peter Ryan. He is survived by his wife Pat; his son Stephen, Jr. and his wife Betsy; his son Michael and his wife Maria; his son Brian; his daughter ("The Girl") Patricia Burke and her husband Don; his son Jim and his wife Cate; his son Terence and his wife Joan; his son Joseph and his wife Kathy; his son John and his wife Gabi as well as his grandchildren Meg, Katie, Laura, Mickey, Kelsey, Adrian, Donnie, Steve, Marion, Tommy, Siobhan, Joy, Christian, Bridget, Erin, Ashley, Joey, Danny, Brendan, Aidan, Spencer, Macey, Hope and Noelle, great grandson Liam and brothers Brendan, Quentin and Brian together with a legion of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including Patricia McQueen whose care and compassion was a blessing never to be forgotten.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Friday, October 23, 2015 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Rd., Brick, NJ 08724. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Church, 751 Main Ave, Bay Head, NJ 08742. Burial will be in St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall Township.
In lieu of flowers the family specifically requests donations to the Office of Advancement, St. Benedict's Preparatory School, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home on Friday.
For further information or to offer condolences to the Foley family, please visitwww.obrienfuneralhome.com.
Renee Lukosius
10/19/2015
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