Obituaries (November 23)

Michael Foy

Norwich Sun, November 29, 1913

 

Michael Foy

Utica Saturday Globe, December 1913

 

After an illness of several weeks which was borne with patience and resignation, surrounded by his family at his home No. 44 Rexford street in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Mr. Michael Foy passed peacefully away at an early hour Saturday morning.  Mr. Foy was born in Tullemore, Kings county, Ireland, July 10, 1839, he came to Norwich fifty-eight years ago, where he has resided since 1855.  He was married to Miss Catherine Bulger on April 5, 1862, eight children were born to them, four of whom died in infancy and early childhood, and of the children who grew to mature years, three have died, Margaret Foy, organist of St. Paul's church in October 1896, Rev. James P. Foy, in January, 1904, and Dr. Michael Foy, in January, 1913.  He is survived by his devoted wife and daughter, Catherine, the wife of Martin L. Scanlon, and one sister, Mrs. Thomas Hill, of Oxford.

 

Mr. Foy's life was a remarkable example of what honest industry and family devotion will accomplish.  For 45 years he was a faithful employee of Maydole's Hammer factory, working side by side with its founder during the days when its product was gaining its worldwide reputation.  He bought a lot and built a home on Rexford street when the development of that section of this villag first began.  He gave his children the best education the village afforded, four of whom were graduated from Norwich High school and his two sons were sent to college, and they became honored members of their chosen professions.  He was a trustee in the old St. Patrick's church and one of the first trustees of St. Paul's church, he was a potent factor in the struggle to build the present church edifice after St. Patrick's was destroyed by fire in 1888 and presented a window which is dedicated to his memory.  He is a charter member of the Holy Name Society and consistently followed it precepts.

 

Twelve years ago he retired from active work, and has since enjoyed the fruits of the labor of his early years.  He was a good citizen always performing his civic and religious duties with fidelity and zeal and the example of his useful life is worthy of the emulation by every one who scans it.  His funeral will be held from his late residence, no. 41 Rexford street Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock after which it will proceed to St. Paul's church, where a solemn high mass will be said by Rev. Edward R. Prendergast and assistants from neighboring parishes.  Interment will be made in St. Paul's cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Margaret Agnes Foy

Chenango Union, October 8, 1896

The community was shocked Saturday morning to learn of the sudden death of Margaret Agnes Foy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Foy and organist at St. Paul's church.  She had been ill only 32 hours and none of her friends had appreciated the seriousness of her condition.  The cause of death was an intestinal obstruction from constricting bands of the peritoneal membrane.  Miss Foy was born in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], March 23, 1870, and was educated in this village.  After graduation from the High School she took a thorough course in music with Dr. Linn Babcock, of this village and soon afterward, became organist at St. Paul's church.  This position she has filled for several years, and has given the most satisfactory service.  Very much of the success of the choir at St. Paul's has been due to her untiring effort and she will be greatly missed in the church work.  Her popularity was not confined to her immediate friends, however, for she was widely known throughout the community and loved and respected in every direction.  This was evidenced on Tuesday morning, when a large concourse of friends and acquaintances attended the impressive burial service at St. Paul's church.

 

The impressive ceremony of Solemn High Mass was celebrated with Rev. J.P. Foy, brother of the deceased as celebrant, Rev. J.A. Hart, deacon, Rev. J.J. McDonald, of Binghamton, subdeacon, Rev. J.J. Higgins, formerly of Norwich, master of ceremonies.  Final Absolution was given by the brother of the deceased, Father Foy....At the close of the Absolution Father Magee intoned the Benedictus, assisted by a chorus of the visiting clergy.  The music was furnished by the regular choir of St. Paul's church assisted by Messrs. C.B. Chapman and E.L. Nash.  A.P. Babcock presided at the organ.  A number of the clergy accompanied the remains to the grave, where the last sad rites were performed by Rev. Father Foy.  The Miserere, was solemnly chanted at the grave by the priests, Father Dougherty leading.

 

Miss Foy is survived by her parents, a sister Katie Foy, two brothers, Rev. James P. Foy, of Binghamton and Dr. Michael Foy, of New York city.

 

Father James Patrick Foy

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 13, 1904

A telegram was received by Norwich relatives Saturday announcing the death at the Binghamton State hospital of Father James P. Foy, pastor of St. James Catholic church at Lestershire, which occurred at about 6 o'clock that evening, after a short illness.  Deceased was the son, of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Foy of Rexford street, this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], and was about 38 years old.  He had been pastor of the Lestershire church about two years.  Besides his parents he is survived by one brother, Dr. M.J Foy of New York, and one sister, Mrs. Martin L. Scanlon of this village.  The funeral will be held from the church at Lestershire on Tuesday at 10 o'clock and the body will be brought to Norwich on the 4:35 Lackawanna train this afternoon, burial being made in St. Paul's cemetery [Norwich, NY]

Morning Sun, Norwich, NY, January 12, 1904

The death of James P. Foy, which occurred Saturday evening in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], came with a great shock to his family and many friends in Norwich, where he was born and grew to manhood, and was admired by all who knew him.  His industrious nature, integrity of character, and true devotion to his priestly calling, had won for him the love and esteem of all who knew him, of whatever creed, and his untimely death, in the beginning of his career, which promised so brilliant a success, brought sorrow to all alike.  The remains of Father Foy will be brought to Norwich on the 4:35 p.m. Lackawanna train today, and taken to St. Paul's church, where the body will lie in state until 10 a.m., Wednesday, when burial will be made in St. Paul's cemetery. 

In speaking of Father Foy's life and death, Monday's Binghamton Republican says:  Rev. James Patrick Foy, pastor of St. James church in Lestershire, died at six o'clock Saturday afternoon, aged thirty-eight years.  Father Foy was one of the most popular priests in the Syracuse diocese, and much beloved by the members of St. James Roman Catholic church.  He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, both Protestants and Catholics, and in his death the whole city and community receive a sad blow.  His death was caused by a complication of stomach trouble and heart disease.

Father Foy was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Foy, of Norwich, where he was born.  He received his preliminary education in the Norwich high school, but later went to St. Michael's college in Toronto for four years. After completing his course there he went to St. Joseph's Theological seminary in Troy.  He was graduated after six years from that institution with the highest honors, and by special request from the Bishop, he went to Washington to complete his preparation in the Roman Catholic university of that city.

With this preparation and with the brightest of prospects, Father Foy entered the field of his active labors.  He served first as assistant to the Rev. Father McGee of St. Patrick's church, Syracuse. After three months of efficient service there he came to Binghamton as assistant in St. Patrick's church.  For six years he served there until Bishop Luden, recognizing his merit, assigned him to a parish of his own at Lestershire.  He celebrated his first mass to his new parish on Christmas morning, 1900.  Starting in with only an old hall, by dint of patient effort he soon secured a new church, and placed the parish on a firm financial basis. The church now numbers nearly 500 members, which represent 110 families.

The funeral will be held from St. James church at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning.  Father D.C. Flynn will celebrate morning mass at 10:30 o'clock in St. James church.  Members of the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 206, are requested to meet at their rooms this evening for the purpose of viewing the remains of the Reverend Father Foy.  They are also requested to meet at ten o'clock Tuesday morning to attend the funeral in a body.

Dr. Michael Foy

Norwich Sun, March 5, 1913

The sad intelligence has been received here of the death of Dr. Michael H. Foy, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Foy of Rexford street which occurred at his home in Yonkers Wednesday morning at 12:30.  Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed, but burial will be made in Yonkers.  Dr. Foy was about 40 years of age. Death followed an operation which was performed several days ago.  Deceased is survived by his wife and four children, all of Yonkers, also his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Foy, and one sister, Mrs. Martin Scanlon, of Norwich.  Dr. Foy graduated from the Norwich high school about 20 years ago, after which he graduated from a New York medical college. After being engaged in hospital work in New York city for a year he began to practice his profession in Yonkers where he soon became one of the leading phy6sicians.  Deceased was well known in this village and his death is the source of much regret.

Catharine Foy

Norwich Sun, August 4, 1915

After a lingering illness of nearly a year's duration, Mrs. Michael Foy died at her home in this city [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] at an early hour Tuesday morning.  About a year ago she suffered a slight stroke of apoplexy, since which time she has gradually failed until the end came.  Mrs. Foy was born in Wexford county, Ireland, September 15th, 1840.  She came to Norwich in 1855, and in 1861 she was married to the late Michael Foy, who died about two years ago.  During all her married life she has lived in the home where she died.  Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foy, four of whom died in infancy, and four of whom grew to maturity; Rev. James P. Foy, who died in 1905, Miss Margaret Foy, who died in 1896, and Dr. Michael H. Foy who died in 1913.  Mrs. Martin Scanlon with whom she resided, being the only surviving member of her family.  In the death of Mrs. Foy, Norwich loses one of the best types of Irish American womanhood.  All her life she was a devout Catholic and one of the most active members of St. Paul's Parish, in the organization of which she and her husband assisted.  She presided over an ideal home from which her children were educated for useful lives, all of them having been graduates of Norwich high school.  Her eldest son, Rev. James P. Foy, being considered at the time of his death, one of the ablest pastors and most eloquent preachers in the Syracuse diocese, and her youngest son, Dr. Michael H. Foy, was at the time of his death, one of the most skillful physician and surgeons in the city of Yonkers, N.Y.  Her daughter, Margaret, was one of the leading music teachers of Norwich and at the time of her death was the organist of St. Paul's church.  Mrs. Scanlon was for many years one of the valuable teachers in the public schools of Norwich and vicinity.  Her funeral will be held from her late residence at No. 44 Rexford street, Thursday morning at 9:30 o'clock, when it will proceed to St. Paul's church, where a solemn high mass of requiem will be said by Rev. Edward R. Prendergast, assisted by Rev. J.J. Higgins of Utica and Rev. Thomas F. Conway of Skaneateles, N.Y.  Interment will be made in St. Paul's Cemetery [Norwich, NY].