Rutland Remembers Joseph Foley

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(Host)   Rutland will pay its last respects this weekend to long time local businessman Joseph Foley.   The 98-year old died at his home in Rutland on Wednesday.  VPR’s Nina Keck has this remembrance.

(Keck) Joseph Foley was born in Rutland in 1911 the youngest of four children.  After high school he attended college at Notre Dame.    But his father died during his junior year and Foley was called home to run the family laundry business with his older brother John.    Art Crowley, a life long Rutland resident and local attorney remembers seeing Joe Foley when he’d take his father’s shirts to the laundry as a teenager.

(Crowley) "And he was hands on – he and his brother John owned the laundry – but he would be right out front greeting customers – great guy, made you feel wonderful." 

(Keck) Their laundry business, which began in 1879, grew and expanded over the years.  Joe’s son, Mark Foley, took over running the business and today it’s known as Foley Services and employs 130 individuals in several different businesses.  According to the company website, theirs is the longest running family owned business in Vermont.   Art Crowley says that while the Foley’s business is a tremendous success story for Rutland, Joe Foley’s impact goes beyond that.

(Crowly) "The legacy was more than just the business – the legacy is the man himself.

(Keck) In his quiet way, Crowley says Joe Foley left a huge imprint on the city.

(Crowley) "Joe particularly was active in every major development of the city after the war.   We needed a new reservoir, we needed new streets, we needed community development etc.  His advice was always sought – and he was always available – but very quiet.  Never one to stand up and electrify the room – just quiet advice that was followed because he was much loved and respected."

(Keck) Joseph Foley died Wednesday at the age of 98.   For VPR news, I’m Nina Keck in Rutland.

(Host) Funeral services for Joseph Foley will be held Saturday at 10:00 at Christ the King Church in Rutland.   

 

 

 

 

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