Martin J. Foley

GARDNER- Martin J. Foley, 85, of Gardner, died Sunday, April 9, in his home. He was born August 9, 1931, one of five children of Irish immigrants, Christopher and Kathleen (Kelly) Foley. Martin graduated from Gardner High School in 1950 before serving his country during the Korean War. He served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 in the Signal Corps 8th Army earning the rank of Corporal. He later graduated from Worcester Boys Trade School and became a Machinist/Tool Maker. He began his work life at 16 years old at the Heywood Wakefield Furniture Factory on Cross Street in Gardner and for the last two years, he returned to live there in the refurbished apartments. He also worked at the former Worcester Distribution Center for Surplus Foods, the former Templeton Welfare Offices. After his retirement, he enjoyed driving for Butler Limousine. Martin was a member of the Quarter Century Club at General Electric Company in Fitchburg and an active member of the Gardner VFW. Martin truly enjoyed his thirty years of retirement traveling the country with his wife, Kitty. As he once said about life, "we'll ride until the wheels fall off". He leaves his wife, Catherine (Martin) Foley; five children, William and his wife, Deborah, Carolyn and her husband, David Kymalainen, David, Martin and his companion, Maria Patriacca, and Helena and her husband, Timothy Hamel; four granddaughters, Leah Kymalainen, Erica Foley, Jessica Foley, and Brigitte Hamel; four grandsons, Mark Kymalainen, Nickolas Foley, Johnathon Foley, and Emmett Foley; one great grandson, Odesza Botko; one brother, Francis Foley and his wife, Lorraine of Gardner; one sister, Christine Desmarais of S. Ashburnham; many special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Anna Cote Batson and Patricia Dupre-Corley. The Foley family would like to thank the Cardiac Rehab at Heywood Hospital for 15 years of wonderful care. They would also like to thank Dr. John Worden and his staff, and the VNA Hospice. Calling hours are Wednesday, April 12, from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. in the Lamoureux-Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home, a Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner. The funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 A.M. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell St., Gardner. Burial with military honors will follow in Wildwood Cemetery.