John G. Foley

John G. Foley, 88, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024 after a short illness. John was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania May 17, 1936, a son of Francis Morgan and Helen Anna (Wendell) Foley. John attended St. Stephen grade school and Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. Upon graduation, John enlisted in the United States Air Force where he began his career in Air Traffic Control (ATC). John served in New York and Korea. After leaving the Air Force, John worked at the FAA Cleveland Center as a controller, supervisor, instructor, as well as a consultant contractor, instructing hundreds of trainees in classroom theory and laboratory simulations. His enthusiasm for ATC extended into his personal life, where he mentored family members, including his son, Ronald; grandsons, Matthew and Jacob; as well as his nieces, Stacy Taylor Parham, and Samantha Bierfeldt. John had many interests throughout his life. His love of history led to his earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Baldwin Wallace University in 1978. John's love for history was complemented by his passion for classical music. He often filled his home with the sounds of his favorite compositions and enjoyed listening to the musical talents of his children and grandchildren. John enjoyed working on old cars, restoring Ramblers, VW Bugs, and rebuilding engines. John was also skilled in woodworking, and construction, creating furniture for the family, toys for the grandchildren, and building decks and sunrooms for family homes. John was known for being the first in the family to acquire the latest electronic gadgets, much to the admiration of his children. He was also known to be an expert in grammar, much to the family's chagrin, and was a maestro in the much used family term 'geeesh'. John was also a devout Catholic, regularly attending mass and volunteering to assist with church operations. Family gatherings were among John's greatest joys. John was a role model for his family and will be forever remembered and cherished in their hearts. John is survived by his loving wife, Bernadette (Leahy); and his six children, Catherine (Robert) Bloor, John V. (Susan) Foley, Kathleen (Keith) Seibert, Helen (Thomas) Falencki, Ronald A. (Sandra) Foley, and Robert E. Foley; proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, Matthew Tarcson, Emily (Mike) Waller, Christopher Foley, Donald (Jessica Wang) Levandowski, Michael Levandowski, Jacob Levandowski, Zachary Foley, and Annemarie Falencki. John also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, Caleb, Elise, Ezra Waller, Brennan and Grace Petkovsek; and his two brothers, Ronald W. Foley of Vermilion, Ohio, and Francis M. Foley Jr. (Patricia Buck) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Patricia A. Ward; and a brother, Donald W. Foley. A special heartfelt thank you to the ICU staff at the Cleveland Clinic in Avon, Ohio. They took exceptional care of John and his family during his stay there. Friends may call Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hempel Funeral Home in Amherst. Additional calling hours will be held Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst, Ohio. The Rev. Fr. Timothy O'Connor, pastor will officiate. A gathering will be held at the chapel at Calvary Cemetery in Pittsburgh Friday, May 31 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Joseph's Parish in Amherst Stjosephparish.com or a charity of your choice in John's memory. For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.