William F. Foley, a veteran firefighter and cabinet maker liked to collect and repair antique pocket watches and clocks when he was off duty from the Chicago Fire Department. "He liked to spend time finding them at auctions and making them run again," said his daughter-in-law Rene. Mr. Foley, 82 , died Monday, June 2, of a heart attack in Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. A native of Chicago, Mr. Foley grew up in the Beverly neighborhood and graduated from Calumet High School in 1938. During high school, he was a diver, a swimmer and a singer in his church's choir. Mr. Foley joined the Chicago Fire Department in 1944 and served in every civil service rank before he retired in 1984 as first deputy commissioner, a Fire Department spokesman said. "Chief Foley was an international expert on fire department apparatus. Fire chiefs from around the world relied on his advice on designs and purchases for pumps and ladder trucks," Fire Commissioner James T. Joyce said. In 1961 Mr. Foley became a battalion chief and then chief of fire service in 1978. He served in World War II and the Korean War. He married Angeline Navigato in 1946 and lived in Scottsdalefor seven years, later moving to Roseland and Mt. Greenwood. After retiring, he lived in Orland Park and then Palos Heights . Family and neighbors knew Mr. Foley as a man who enjoyed a good joke and liked to read about world leaders and politics. In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Christine Hebel and Sharon; a son, Timothy; three sisters, Delphine Byrne , Elaine Miechowicz and Colette Gonzales; a brother, Frank; and six grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9300 W. 167 St., Orland Hills.
William F. Foley, a veteran firefighter and cabinet maker liked to collect and repair antique pocket watches and clocks when he was off duty from the Chicago Fire Department. "He liked to spend time finding them at auctions and making them run again," said his daughter-in-law Rene. Mr. Foley, 82 , died Monday, June 2, of a heart attack in Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. A native of Chicago, Mr. Foley grew up in the Beverly neighborhood and graduated from Calumet High School in 1938. During high school, he was a diver, a swimmer and a singer in his church's choir. Mr. Foley joined the Chicago Fire Department in 1944 and served in every civil service rank before he retired in 1984 as first deputy commissioner, a Fire Department spokesman said. "Chief Foley was an international expert on fire department apparatus. Fire chiefs from around the world relied on his advice on designs and purchases for pumps and ladder trucks," Fire Commissioner James T. Joyce said. In 1961 Mr. Foley became a battalion chief and then chief of fire service in 1978. He served in World War II and the Korean War. He married Angeline Navigato in 1946 and lived in Scottsdalefor seven years, later moving to Roseland and Mt. Greenwood. After retiring, he lived in Orland Park and then Palos Heights . Family and neighbors knew Mr. Foley as a man who enjoyed a good joke and liked to read about world leaders and politics. In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Christine Hebel and Sharon; a son, Timothy; three sisters, Delphine Byrne , Elaine Miechowicz and Colette Gonzales; a brother, Frank; and six grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9300 W. 167 St., Orland Hills.
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