Francis (Frank) Xavier Foy, 91, passed through life on Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Lansing, Michigan. He was born to John and Ellen (O’Callaghan) Foy on December 13, 1928, in New York City. Nicknamed Chick by his sisters, he was the youngest of eight. He attended Our Lady of Solace Elementary School and graduated from Power Memorial High School in Manhattan. He played football at school and was an avid football fan and lifelong sports enthusiast.
Following high school, Frank entered seminary in Pennsylvania but decided on a different vocation. Instead he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1948 serving as a battle radio operator first with the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean, then in Korea, and finally as a instructor of radio operations in Hawaii. He was a proud Marine veteran, greatly respecting all military, but especially Marines. He frequently reminisced about his duties and his fellow troops and enjoyed the camaraderie of his service.
After leaving the military Frank became a police officer for the City of New York, and then worked in private security as a personnel supervisor and sales representative for Mandell Security Company, Inc. He had two daughters, Donna and Cathleen, by a previous marriage, and acquired two more, Elizabeth (Liz) and Suzanne, after marrying Virginia (Ginny) Ampagoomian Marceny on December 26, 1971, and they settled in Yonkers, NY.
After retirement, Frank was quickly recruited by Father Gallagher, to provide security for St. Paul’s parish school. The children and teachers treasured him.
Retiring finally in 2001, Frank and Virginia moved to their vacation home at Lake Naomi in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania. He made many lasting friendships there, was active at the community recreation and fitness centers, bowling team, pinochle group, and social gatherings, and participated in the local senior citizens club. He worshipped at Our Lady of the Lake in Pocono Pines. In 2015, Frank and Ginny relocated to Mason, Michigan, to be closer to family.
Frank was a devout Catholic and attended Mass regularly, and frequently attended church services with Ginny at her church as well. He always looked forward to social coffee hours afterwards. He enjoyed meeting people everywhere and traveled widely with Ginny, most recently on a western Caribbean cruise this past February. He was very outgoing and seemed to turn the most casual of gatherings into a party filled with laughter and joy.
Frank loved music of all sorts, from opera to pop to jazz to country-western, and enjoyed ballroom dancing, with new friends during the most recent cruise and with all his granddaughters at a wedding last September. Frank adored his granddaughters and took great pride in his family. Above all, Frank will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a loyal and devoted brother and friend, and a generous soul who cheered everyone he met.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Sr. Clementine Marie SC, Eileen, Mother Rita Foy, Sisters of the Cenacle; brothers Thomas, John, Donald, and James; daughter Donna Kelly; and granddaughter Sarah Caltrider.
He is survived by his loving wife Virginia; daughters Cathleen (Paul) Pickholtz, Elizabeth (Michael) Franzago, and Suzanne (Bruce) Caltrider; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. James Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s honor to the church, at 1010 S. Lansing St., Mason, Michigan. .
DONATIONS
St. James Catholic Church1010 S. Lansing Street, Mason, Michigan 48854
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5