Ed passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 in Anaconda, at the Lenore Hospice home after a brief illness. He was born in Helena Montana on July 6th 1937 to Edward J Foley and Mary Ruth Sullivan Foley. Ed was the oldest of six siblings.
He attended Immaculate Conception & St. Patrick’s grade schools and graduated from Boys Central High School in 1955.
After high school, he became a member of the Irish Christian Brothers from 1955 to 1958. He left the Christian Brothers order to attend Seattle University and graduated in 1960 with a degree in English. He also received a Master’s degree in Education from Montana State University in 1973. He began teaching at Hot Springs High School in 1961 and then began teaching at Butte High School in 1962, retiring in 1994 after 32 years of teaching.
Ed married Mary Theresa Lee at St. Mary’s church on January 13, 1962. From this marriage, they were blessed with three wonderful children, Ed, Teri, and Dan. After the passing of his wife Mary in 1998, Ed met Joan Lynch and they shared the journey of life together for 20 plus years.
Ed was a long- distance runner, and competed in road races through out his life. He ran and walked daily. He was an avid reader, loved to hike, and was intensely interested in politics and a proud liberal Democrat!
During his teaching years, his summers were spent as a seasonal employee in Glacier National Park. There, he enjoyed time in this beautiful place with his family and other relatives. He loved Fish Creek campground, and taking his nightly swim in Lake McDonald.
He took deep pride in his Irish heritage. His grandfather was “Mickey the Bird” Sullivan. He had an association with Notre Dame, his grandmother babysat for Knute Rockne and his father also attended Notre Dame grade school. Ed was also a member of Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He had a deep religious faith, which lead him to be a Lector at St. Patrick’s and at Holy Spirit Parish as well as volunteering for the Butte Emergency Food Bank and at St. James Hospital.
Ed is survived by Joan Lynch, his children, Teri and (Ed) Fisher, Ed and (Tracey) Foley, Dan Foley (Karen) along with grandchildren whom he greatly adored, Cody and Caleb Kenison, Jalee and Keaton Foley, Ryan, Sean and Kevin Foley, great grandchildren Imogen, Nola, Clara, Clayton, and Colt He also is survived by his sister Margie Larson, Eleanor Hauck, Diane Maloney and brother John Foley.
He is reunited with his parents, Ed and Ruth Foley, his sister Lorraine Foley, and his wife Mary in Heaven.
We would like to thank the doctors, and nurses at St. James Hospital as well as the Hospice in Anaconda for the excellent care that was given to Ed.
Private services will be held and a celebration of life at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the Butte Emergency Food bank, Lenore’s Hospice Home at 118 East 7th Street in Anaconda, Glacier National Park Conservancy, P.O. Box 2749 or 402 9th Street West in Columbia Falls, Mt. 59912
Rest in peace dad! We Love you!
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Ed. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Ed and his family.
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Heather Johnson says
Loved Ed, We saw him at church with Joan quite often before COVID and we know his children and spouses and Jalee. I loved visiting him when he volunteered at St. James. He was a gentle and great person. Hang onto all the special memories. Heather and Ray Johnson.
Dave Boyd says
Joan, Eddie, Teri, and Dan: Julie and I are so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He truly was a very kind man. He was one of my favorite teachers at BHS, even after he caught me smoking in study hall. I enjoyed our conversations about politics, family, and life. God Bless you all and Ed I hope my grammar is okay here.
Dave and Julie Boyd
Terri Hanley says
Ed Foley and family I am truly sorry for your loss!! In reading his obituary he lived life to the fullest and knew how to make a difference. Always carry your memories of those special moments and he will always be you. Thoughts and Prayers to you all. Terri and Richard Hanley
John Connole says
Losing my fellow Butte High School teaching friends is always very sad. What a great English teacher u were, Rest In Peace !🙏
Sister Kathy Atkins says
I remember Ed, His son Ed, Terri, Dan and Joan from my years at Butte Central. Great people!! Know that all of you are in my prayers.
Sister Lynn Casey says
My prayers and condolences are with you at this time. Ed was a wonderful, quiet man and I know he will be missed.
Diann M Mueller says
So sorry for your loss. Ed and all of his loved ones will be in my prayers. May God bless you during this time.
Maureen Hall says
Dan, you and your family are in my heart and prayer. I remember your dad well, you,too.
Sister Maureen
Maureen Hall says
Joan ,
Just want to say I am sorry about Ed. I know you two were blessed by one another.
Love and peace,
Maureen
S. Marjorie Feuerborn says
My prayers and sympathy on Ed’s death. May God grant him eternal rest and peace and comfort to your family. I will have a Mass offered by the Carmelites from the Shrine of the Little Flower in Darien, Illinois.
God bless you, S. Marjorie Feuerborn
Linda McCray says
Joan,
I have fond memories of you and Ed’s peaceful spiritual presence at our Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Associate meetings. Ed was a great guy. I’m so sorry for your loss. May God be with you in a special way during this most difficult time.
Love and prayers,
Linda
Thomas Little says
Ed was such a great guy! I enjoyed our visits on Thursday at the hospital; I would sit and talk with Ed for about hour and we would solve the problems of the world. He had a wealth of knowledge. Ed would call me to check on me while I was home recuperating from my surgeries. I looked forward to our talks. Great Guy! He will be missed.
Brother John Dornbos says
Ed Foley was a friend from high school through my entire life. We went along together in our studies for a while and he chose to return to Montana and work there. I am very grateful to him–a real gift in my life. My sympathies to and his children.
Vera McElroy says
My prayers and sympathy to your family. Ed was a classmate of my husband Howie and he was always a kind and gentle man. Always thinking of others. I know he will be missed but always with all of you. God bless
Diane snyder says
I am so sorry to hear of your dads passing. What a wonderful man and teacher. How blessed you all were to have him for a father. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all, Diane Snyder
Judy Chadwicl says
Ed was such a nice man and I’m vey sad to hear of his passing. I loved how his smile slowly brightened his face just as the sunshine bring the day to life. I will savor the memories of our friendship, he was a unique Man. RIP Ed, I’ll see you on the other side one day.
Kathy Ghenie says
I’m so sorry to read about Mr. Foley. I had him for my English teacher for 2 years in the early 60’s. He was my favorite teacher at Butte High. May he Rest In Peace and my prayers are with all of you.
Cheryl Peterslie says
Joan, I am so sorry to hear this sad news about Ed!!! I have great memories of seeing you two dancing at the Elks Club on St Patty’s Day for so many years! And of seeing you at the many road races that he participated in! What a great guy! He will definitely be missed!
You and Ed’s family are in my thoughts and prayers!!
Cheryl Peterslie
Linda Sundberg says
Dan, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. May God bless you & your family & help you through your grief. Thinking of you with sympathy & love.
Linda Bartlett Sundberg
John Sullivan says
Our heartfelt condolences to the family. We grieve with you on his loss. Ed’s love of family, passion for life and commitment to God are hallmarks of who is was. May God’s peace and love be with each of you.
Cousin John Sullivan & Susie
Bill Dakin says
I was a co-worker of Ed’s at Fish Creek the summers of ’73-’75. The Watergate summers. I remember you ‘ little kids’ , your mother, and your awesome dad. He was a gem to work with, and to know. We kept in touch, and in recent years we often connected at state basketball tournaments in the Civic Center. He once helped me find the apartment where my parents lived in Butte in 1938-9. I just want you to know he is remembered by all of us ‘youngsters’ who worked with him those college summers. His love of his fellow man, his sense of justice for all, and his beautiful clarity of convictions were exemplary to us. We treasured him. We made betting pools on his annual first swim in that frigid water. You had a wonderful father! My condolences to you as we revel in our rich memories.