Foley, Joseph W.
By Canton CitizenJoseph W. Foley, Jr., age 100, of Canton, passed away peacefully after a short illness.
Beloved husband of the late Marilyn F. (Chambers) for 64 years. Born in Boston, Joseph grew up in Dorchester and attended the High School of Commerce, where he excelled in baseball, football, and indoor track.
As a high school senior, Joseph was all-city in all three sports, and he continued his athletic career after his military service, playing baseball in the prestigious Boston Park League for the Tom Owens Club and football for the Dorchester Falcons. He was regarded as a legend on the city’s playing fields, according to the late Park League historian Jack Fahey. Jack referred to Joe as the best player he ever saw.
A U. S. Navy veteran of World War II, Joseph worked for 34 years as a loan manager with Household Finance Corporation. He resided in Canton for 66 years and was a longtime parishioner of St. John the Evangelist (now St. Oscar Romero) Church in Canton. In his retirement, he became an avid golfer as a member of Presidents Golf Club in Quincy, where he scored two holes-in-one.
Father of Susan Foley Burkard and her husband, Michael, of Intervale, NH, David W. Foley and his wife, Karen, of Canton, Thomas J. Foley and his wife, Carol, of West Dennis, and Mark J. Foley and his wife, Shelley, of Holbrook. Also survived by 12 grandchildren: Matthew Foley and his wife, Arianne, of New York, NY, Jennifer Collins and her husband, Patrick, of Norwood, Jaime Walker and her husband, Will, of Franklin, Kevin Foley and his wife, Jennifer, of Wrentham, Kerry Foley of Norton, Meaghan Foley of Norwood, Conor Foley and his fiancée, Stephanie Anderson, of Tewksbury, Michael Foley and his fiancée, Elizabeth Erickson, of Boston, Molly Riordan and her husband, Josh, of Quincy, Erin Foley of Quincy, Shannon Foley of Melrose, and Leah Foley of Quincy. Also survived by three great-grandchildren, Braden and Jason Collins, and Rhyne Foley.
Visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street, on Monday, December 15, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Mass on Tuesday, December 16, at 11 a.m. in St. Oscar Romero Church, 700 Washington Street in Canton. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canton.
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Posted by Canton Citizen
on Dec 13 2025. Filed under Obituaries.
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