Edmund J. Foley

Edmund J. Foley, age 87, passed away Saturday evening, January 26, 2013, at the Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie after a brief battle with cancer. He was at peace and with his family.

Eddie was born July 12 1925, and was a lifelong resident of Racine. He graduated from William Horlick High School “Class of 1943.” At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Marines and served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII.

He married Patricia Murphy at St. Rose Catholic Church in 1949 and this year they would have celebrated 64 cherished years of marriage. Ed became President of Wecks Lumber Company after working his way up in the family-owned business starting off as a teamster loading the lumber trucks. After the closing of the business in 1972, Eddie continued his career in the lumber industry, selling on the wholesale level until his retirement at age 65.

Eddie was an Eagle Scout and the father and grandfather of Eagle Scouts. He boxed in high school because his father said it was “safer than football.” He was a member and past president of the North Side Business Assoc. As member of the Serra Club, he initiated the alter server program at the new St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. This brought him many years of enjoyment mentoring the young people of St. Paul’s parish. Eddie had a love of trees; he planted, or was responsible for the planting of hundreds of young trees. He was most proud of the trees he planted at Ives Grove Golf Links. Eddie's trees are all over Racine; any relative or friend that had a good location would be given one or more of his favorites, the White Pine. Some of these evergreens are already 60 feet tall.

When Eddie learned of the reality of his cancer he said, “I’ve done a few things.” There are countless memories of golfing, the “Eddie Foley Open,” fishing, summer vacations up north, wintering in Florida and walking the Lighthouse Run.

Ed was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen (Foley) Carre. Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Murphy); son, Michael (Karen) Foley; and daughter, Jane (Robert) Kroencke; four grandchildren, Kathleen and Joseph Foley, Daniel and Michael Kroencke; and additional relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Friday, February 1, 2013, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Eddie’s family suggests memorials to Hospice Alliance, Inc., Three Harbors Council Boy Scouts of America, or to a personally meaningful charity.

Thank you to the nurses, staff and volunteers at Hospice Alliance; your heartfelt care, consideration and professionalism made this difficult time for Eddie and our family much easier.

MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888