Obituary of John E. Foy

With a lot of tears, and just as much laughter, because that’s how he would have liked it, we said goodbye to our Dad on Thursday, December 30, 2021. In October Dad was given about two weeks to live, but he would have none of that and we are forever grateful that we had him for another two months. Dad was born in 1927, in the home built by his father, on Staten Island, NY, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Rooney) Foy. His parents were born and raised in Ireland, coming to America in the early 1900’s. He is predeceased by his siblings, Tommy, Peggy, Kitty, Danny, Jimmy, Petey and Mary Rose. As part of the “greatest generation” Dad couldn’t wait to follow in his older brothers’ footsteps and serve in the military during World War II. He chose the U S Navy but needed his father to take him to the enlistment office and give his approval for his son to enlist, as Dad was only 17. A very patriotic man, he regretted not being able to see action during the war. He was assigned to a base in San Diego, where he then would have been deployed overseas, but the war had come to an end. Throughout his life he loved razzing other veterans who were in different branches of the military…the Navy was the best! Dad was proud to be part of the Honor Flight a couple of years ago. Upon his military discharge he found himself in Chicago where he went to the Gregg Business School to learn the intricacies of shorthand for what would be his career as a NYS Supreme Court Stenographer. It was there that he met the love of his life Arlene Ruzicka. They married on a cold winter day in January 1951. A job opportunity presented itself in Elmira, they packed up their belongings and started their new life in Elmira, a place they would call home for their entire married life. They raised their five children here, moving a couple of times, before buying a home on Durland Avenue. This was the home he loved and a place where he earned the title of “Mayor of Durland Ave.” After working for the State for 30 years, Dad started another career helping out his son-in-law at McInerny Funeral Home. This part-time “helping out” turned into a fulltime job that lasted 35 years. He found his true calling. He could talk to people all day as they came to the funeral home and get paid for it! Dad took great pride in taking care of the lawn and so enjoyed when he was out there working, and people would honk their horns at him! He was a fixture at the front door, greeting people as they came in, sharing stories with them…..as folks knew some of those stories could be rather lengthy, but that was our Dad. If Dad wasn’t “on the door”, people would always ask where he was and was he okay! Dad never officially retired, but at around the age of 90, started slowing down. Part of Dad’s history was being an alcoholic and at the age of 51 he finally took the steps needed to get sober. He went to rehab, joined AA and recently earned his 43-year coin. Dad helped many others battle this addiction and received the Edward McNulty award for his dedication. Dad didn’t have a hobby, he had a schedule. He liked puttering around his home, family gatherings and Notre Dame football. While he was a huge fan of Notre Dame, he always critiqued each game and win or lose, the team was always good, but the coach was a bum! His 15 grandchildren were so lucky to have papa play wiffleball with them, play “back, back, back” and keep his candy drawer well stocked for their visits. Dad also had 20 great-grandchildren. Dad enjoyed traveling, taking road trips to visit his kids and was able to enjoy five trips to Ireland. The most recent trip there was at the age of 92, when he attended the marriage of one of his grandsons. Dad was a long-time active communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, a member of the American Legion Post #443, and a life-member of both the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Msgr. John J. Lee Division and the Elmira Elks Club. As Dad’s health started to decline mom and dad moved from their family home to an apartment. At this time mom became Dad’s caregiver, enabling him to stay at home. This was not an easy task for an 88-year-old woman. Dad is survived by his beloved Arlene, the one who made his face light up each and every time she walked into the room; children, and their spouses, Kathleen and Pat Kane, Peggy and Tom Hanrahan, Teri and Jim Mirando, Eileen and Kevin McInerny, Dan and Abby Foy; his grandchildren, Jonathan (Megan) Fenson, Marissa (Dr. Justin) Putnam, Shannon (Steve) Hamaker, Mike (Davis) Hanrahan, Mary Eileen Hanrahan, Alex (Dena) Mirando, Jerry (Rachel) Mirando, Justin (Nicole) Mirando, Molly (Nate) Kohrs, Patrick McInerny, Tim (Samantha) McInerny, KJ (Shweta) McInerny, Colin Foy, Duncan (Holly) Foy, and Sullivan Foy; great-grandchildren, Maya, Makenna, Piper, Foy, Jett, Ivy, Abbey, Sophia, Arabella, Eva, Harley, "two littles", Chase, Noah, Aubrey, Callan, Zachary, and Liam; sister Rita Meyer; special sisters-in-law Rosemary Foy and Julie Ruzicka; numerous nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Johnny. Throughout this final journey with Dad, it wouldn’t have been possible without help from Cindy, Judy, Penny; guidance and assistance from CareFirst, and the “angels” from Visiting Angels. You took care of Dad, laughed with him, and became family to him. We are forever grateful. Rest in peace, Dad, a life well-lived, we will forever love and miss you. Calling hours will be held at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held there on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church, 223 Franklin Street, Elmira. A livestream of the Mass will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic). Masks are required at both the funeral home and the church. Interment, with military honors and committal prayers, will follow at St. Peter & Paul’s Cemetery. Those wishing may remember John with a donation to either; CareFirst, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post NY 14870-9509, The Josh Palmer Fund, P O Box 3225, Elmira NY 14905, Twin Tiers Honor Flight, P O Box 1770, Binghamton, NY 13902 , or a charity of your choice. The Hibernians will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 4th, at 7:00 p.m. to conduct a service for our brother, John. Signed, Packy McFarland, president.