Obituary of Philip C. Foley

Bombay – Philip C. Foley, 87, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening at his home. Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Philip was born on August 22, 1929 in Ogdensburg, son of the late Bernard and Abigail (Spellings) Foley. He married Nellie L. Reedle on June 21, 1952 at the Brasher Falls United Methodist Church and then had their marriage blessed at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Brasher Falls on February 24, 1953. They remained devoted to each other for 62 years, living their vows until Nellie's passing on December 14, 2014. They were blessed to have each other. Philip was employed on the Niagara Falls Power Project and moved back to Bombay to start work at General Motors in Massena. He was a Hot Metal Truck Driver, retiring in 1987 after 30 years. He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Bombay and a member of the Knight of Columbus in Ft. Covington. Known for his easy going temperament, Philip could be found puttering in his garage on motors, gas or diesel, and taking care of the birds that visited his feeders. For many years he heated his home with wood and enjoyed being out in the woods to provide the necessary fuel to keep warm. He liked pickup trucks and old tractors, and could be seen driving one of his son's old tractors in parades. His family was his life and he loved being together with them whenever possible. As a papa, he cherished his grandchildren who lit up his life and made him sparkle with pride. As technology has changed, Philip was interested in learning how the new electronic gadgets worked. After a hard day of work around the house, he would relax watching the news and Judge Judy. Philip is survived by his children; Terry and Debbie Foley of Bethlehem, GA, Randy and Joanne Foley of North Lawrence, Cheryl Foley of Mooers, Larry and Tina Foley of North Lawrence, Charlene and Gerald Deno of Canton, nine grandchildren; Carri Dickenson, Amanda Foley, Jacob Foley, Philip Devon Foley, McKenzie Deno, Meredith Foley, Camryn Foley, Tyler Foley, and Kyle Foley, six great grandchildren; Mike Foley, Anya Foley, Jonathan Russell, Terry Russell, Brandon Russell and Alaina Foley, four great great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Nellie, one son, Steven Foley in 1999, a grandson, Patrick Foley in 2016, his siblings, Mary Frances Black, Paul, Cletus-Eugene, Patrick, infant sisters, Alice and Margaret and infant brother William. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 7 pm at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Philip's Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10 am at St. Lawrence Church in North Lawrence. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery in North Lawrence in the spring. Donations in his memory can be made to the Bombay Historical Association or the Bombay Fire Department. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.hammillfh.com.