Obituary of Peter J. Foley

Peter James Foley, Sr., 90, of Bridgeport, CT, and Narragansett, RI, passed away on May 14, 2025. Born on April 30, 1935, he was a loving husband to Doris and a wonderful father to Valerie, Peter, Jr. (Anne), and Michael (Sheila).

In addition to his wife and children, Peter is survived by his beloved grandchildren Clare DeSalvo (Paul), Kate Browning (Ben), Matthew Foley (Marla), Caroline Chiciak (Adam), Andrew Foley (Natalie), Christopher Foley (Elsa), Jack Foley (Madi), Michael Foley, Gavin Butler, and Timothy Foley; as well as beautiful great grandchildren Chase, Patrick, Jack, Grace, James, Luke, Peter III, Charlotte, and Ophelia. Preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Ruth Foley, and his brother, Paul, he leaves behind his brother, Mark (Jan), dear nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Pete treasured his wife, Doris, his true love, soulmate, and ultimate bridge partner of 66 years. Together, they created a family that was his pride and joy. He couldn't do enough for them whenever they needed him and often before they realized they did. He had a way of being in the right place at the perfect time to lend support to everyone he knew. A patriot, Pete graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served his country as a helicopter pilot, most notably guarding southern U.S. waters during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After leaving the Navy, he worked in engineering for the defense industry as a Program Management VP at Avco Lycoming in Stratford, CT, and Program Director at Williams International in Pontiac, MI.

A golfer who golfed his age into his 80s, he loved watching it, playing it, and mentoring others as they made the rounds with him. With his early support, at least one family member has scored a few prized club championship trophies. Every day, you could catch him singing or humming a song from the heart, often a Dean Martin tune. Throughout his life, he sang in school choirs, in church, and in his independent senior living community, 3030 Park, where he also learned to play the ukulele given to him by his granddaughter at the age of 88.

A love for the water began on Candlewood Lake at his grandmother's home, continued during his time at sea in the Navy, in the redwood pool in the backyard, and riding waves in Narragansett, RI, where Pete and Doris happily lived out 30 years of their retirement.

Please join family and friends for a celebration of life on July 19, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fairfield, CT. For travel directions or to sign his online guest register, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the School Sisters of Notre Dame Atlantic-Midwest Province, whose good causes were close to Pete's heart, or an act of kindness that pays it forward in his name.