John Joseph Foley, Jr., 80, died peacefully on September 25, 2026, in Atlanta. John was a man of integrity and kindness. Blessed with a subtle Irish wit and a warm personality, John always relished gatherings with family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Maureen Harnisch, and his son, Trip (John J., III).
Born in Boston on September 19, 1946, to John J. and Evelyn Foley, John was the eldest of four children. John attended Boston College High School where the Jesuits steeped him in a classic education, including four years of both Latin and Greek. It was a great grounding for the rest of his life. After high school, John attended Boston College, graduating in 1968.
John moved to Atlanta in 1970 to study city planning at Georgia Tech. He quickly fell in love with the city and the warm weather, choosing to make it his permanent home. John began his professional career in real estate consulting, initially working with Dale Henson Associates where he met Maureen and knew from the first time he saw her that she was the woman he would marry. John later worked at HCA Healthcare where he was in charge of medical office leasing for the Southeast. Following HCA, John spent the majority of his career in commercial real estate at Venturi Associates, which later became The Westminster Group. After his retirement from commercial real estate, John joined Harry Norman. In all his jobs, John enjoyed the comradery and time spent with colleagues.
Throughout his life, John was an active gardener who through trial and error built up an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and how to care for them. John was also a vigorous reader and skilled bridge player. Each week he looked forward to bridge night with his longtime friends. From the time he was young, John was a passionate traveler, visiting countries around the world. In more recent years, however, he savored spending summers and falls on Cape Cod, a place he loved since his youth.
John was involved in many organizations serving as President of the Peachtree Heights West Civic Association, President of the Parish Council of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the head of alumni admissions in Georgia for Boston College for 16 years, and a member of the Atlanta Men’s Garden Club.
John’s memory is especially treasured by his sisters Mary Ellen Coughlin, Judith Sutton and Patricia St. Martin. He was also loved by his numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law and his many nieces and nephews. John’s family wishes to thank all of the outstanding therapists and nursing staff who worked with him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Cathedral of Christ The King on Thursday, October 1st at 10:00 am. A reception will follow in Kenny Hall. The Cathedral is located at 2699 Peachtree Rd, NE. A graveside service will take place in Boston at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd Center of Atlanta.
