Stephen Raney Foltz

Stephen Raney Foltz, the youngest of four sons of the late George Charles Foltz and Rita Raney Foltz, died Thursday October 17, 2013 in New Orleans. He is survived by his three older brothers and their spouses, George William and Alison Armbruster Foltz; Michael Valentine and Jonelle LeBlanc Foltz; and Dennis Charles and Carmen Davis Foltz. A lifelong bachelor, he is also survived by nine nieces and nephews and five great-nieces and great-nephews, whom he loved as though they were his own children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by all of his beloved aunts and uncles but is survived by numerous cousins and a host of loving friends. He was a graduate of St. Frances Cabrini Elementary School (1970), Brother Martin High School (1974), and the University of New Orleans (1978), where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Although Webster once defined “whale” as a person held in high esteem, as in “whale of a person”, he simply could have said, “See Stephen”. For Stephen lived up to his nickname of Whale, which he carried with pride and distinction since his formative days at Cabrini where he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 189 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. It was also at Cabrini that he began his devotion to the Eucharist as an altar server and later at St. Pius X as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and frequent adorer at the adoration chapel. An avid history buff, he had an archival mind of the most intricate details of events, particularly of military engagements and the Civil War. The consummate storyteller, he combined a razor wit, a desert-dry sense of humor, and his vast storehouse of historical events to enthrall those who were fortunate enough to be graced by one of his renderings. His great physical strength contrasted perfectly with the gentleness of his heart, which was evident in his compassion for the poor through his work as a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Pius X. The perfect confidant, he always tempered his advice with great wisdom. He was awarded the Order of St. Louis Medallion by the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2009 in recognition of his service to St. Pius X Catholic Church. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Friday October 25 from 6-9 p.m. at Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans or on Saturday October 26 from 9:30-11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 6666 Spanish Fort Boulevard in New Orleans. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Pius X Catholic Church preferred. Please sign the guestbook at www.schoencanalstreet.com.