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February 11, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Laurel Grove Cemetery.
Greg P. Foy, age 65, of Pompton Lakes and formerly of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2017. He was receiving the love of his incredibly adoring family who were gathered around him in prayer at the time of his passing.
Greg was born and raised in the Totowa section of Paterson. After graduating from Passaic County Technical Institute in 1969, he spent the next four years of his life proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force. He spent all four years stationed at Dyess Air Force Base and although he volunteered to serve in Vietnam, he was never given the chance.
Greg met his bride to someday be – Jacqueline Merritt when he was sixteen years old. He’d pass by her house almost every day and, being as sociable as he was, he would often stop to talk to her if she was sitting on her front porch when he walked by. Greg would hang out until Jackie’s father said it was time to go. Eventually they went out together. It was just a simple get-together at the Colonial Grill on Chamberlain Ave. but it would be the first of many dates. They both finished High School the same year and although they were separated by Greg’s joining the Air Force, they burned through many pens as they continued to correspond regularly by written letter. After the first two years of his service, Greg came home for a short leave and they married on Saturday, November 27, 1971 at the Union Ave. Baptist Church in Paterson. There was no time for a honeymoon as Greg had to immediately report back to the base in Texas, but his new bride joined him and the newlyweds began the first of 45 years in a blessed and wonderful marriage together while Greg completed his last two years of service in the Air Force. Upon his return to civilian life, they moved back to Paterson, NJ where they welcomed their first of two babies – a little girl which they named Kimberly. They moved to Vernon and lived there for five years then they moved to Wayne. There they welcomed another precious daughter and named her Jennifer.
As a partner in Halls Pressing Company in Wayne – a supplier of dry cleaning presses, Greg worked all facets of the business from sales to installation to service. After thirty years on the job, he retired but, never able to be still, and being a black seal boiler license holder, he took a job as a custodian and boiler maintenance man for the Wayne Board of Education. His work was always in the George Washington Middle School and he was loved by all – students and faculty alike. You could say that Greg retired twice from the Wayne Board of Ed., but the first time he only told his family, and to celebrate, he took them all, including his two sons-in-law and grandchildren, to Disney World in Florida. After that trip, he changed his mind and worked a little more until officially retiring in 2014 after nine years on the job.
Greg and Jackie spent thirty years living in Wayne but, being such a tight-knit family, they eventually followed their two daughters and their families to Pompton Lakes where they’ve lived for the past five years.
Following that official retirement Greg did a little work on the side for the Pompton Lakes Board of Education but his real new job – one that he would probably say was his best – was spending time with his three granddaughters and one grandson. Those kids couldn’t have been blessed with a better “Grampy.” He always brought them to school and when he picked them up at the end of the day, they loved to “con” him into taking them to Dunkin Donuts. Other times when asked, he’d take them to Party Fair. They knew Grampy didn’t especially love that store but the fact that he happily took them anyway just made them love and respect him even more.
Greg loved to get outside and work in his yard. He took care of it meticulously – so meticulously that he was even known to get out there with a pair of scissors to trim his grass and bushes to perfection. He also loved to go to Mount Airy Lodge. It’s not that he was a big gambler at all! He just loved the whole experience and doing something that came natural to him – making friends with strangers. His girls will always remember growing up and spending summers down the shore at LBI and, more recently, going altogether with his children and grandchildren to Cape May as well as countless trips over the years to Disney World.
Three months ago, Greg and Jackie celebrated 45 years of marriage by spontaneously taking the whole family to that family favorite destination - Disney World. The family’s last big event with Greg was this past December 3, 2016. He surprised the whole family with a trip to New York City to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall followed by a nice family dinner at the Bryant Park Grill. Four days later he received the official diagnosis of Leukemia. He was doing great but life’s events don’t always work out exactly the way we wish. His family, who loved Greg so incredibly much, now rely on their faith and your prayers as they struggle through the difficult days ahead.
Greg was a selfless man who would do anything for anyone. He had a big personality and a great sense of humor. He possessed the “gift of gab” and was friendly to anyone and everyone he would meet. You could not find someone with a bigger heart. He was the best husband, father, and grampy anyone could ask for who will forever live on with his loved ones in their hearts.
Surviving are Greg’s beloved wife of 45 years, Jacqueline (nee Merritt): two dear daughters: Kimberly and husband Brian Sek of Pompton Lakes and Jennifer and husband Raymond Bosma also of Pompton Lakes; four cherished grandchildren: Kaeley and Brenna Sek, and Connor, and Kendall Bosma; six loving sisters and one loving brother: Mary Ann Smith, Diane Geary, Marjorie Lee, Bonnie Porcelli, Debra McManon, Terry Verblaauw, and Paul Foy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his loving parents: William Foy in 1972, Lena Foy in 2006, and his dear loving brother William Foy in 1967.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Greg’s name are asked to consider The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 14 Commerce Drive, Suite 301, Cranford, NJ 07016 (www.lls.org/new-jersey), or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 (www.stjude.org).
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Laurel Grove Cemetery.
February 11, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Laurel Grove Cemetery.
Greg P. Foy, age 65, of Pompton Lakes and formerly of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2017. He was receiving the love of his incredibly adoring family who were gathered around him in prayer at the time of his passing.
Greg was born and raised in the Totowa section of Paterson. After graduating from Passaic County Technical Institute in 1969, he spent the next four years of his life proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force. He spent all four years stationed at Dyess Air Force Base and although he volunteered to serve in Vietnam, he was never given the chance.
Greg met his bride to someday be – Jacqueline Merritt when he was sixteen years old. He’d pass by her house almost every day and, being as sociable as he was, he would often stop to talk to her if she was sitting on her front porch when he walked by. Greg would hang out until Jackie’s father said it was time to go. Eventually they went out together. It was just a simple get-together at the Colonial Grill on Chamberlain Ave. but it would be the first of many dates. They both finished High School the same year and although they were separated by Greg’s joining the Air Force, they burned through many pens as they continued to correspond regularly by written letter. After the first two years of his service, Greg came home for a short leave and they married on Saturday, November 27, 1971 at the Union Ave. Baptist Church in Paterson. There was no time for a honeymoon as Greg had to immediately report back to the base in Texas, but his new bride joined him and the newlyweds began the first of 45 years in a blessed and wonderful marriage together while Greg completed his last two years of service in the Air Force. Upon his return to civilian life, they moved back to Paterson, NJ where they welcomed their first of two babies – a little girl which they named Kimberly. They moved to Vernon and lived there for five years then they moved to Wayne. There they welcomed another precious daughter and named her Jennifer.
As a partner in Halls Pressing Company in Wayne – a supplier of dry cleaning presses, Greg worked all facets of the business from sales to installation to service. After thirty years on the job, he retired but, never able to be still, and being a black seal boiler license holder, he took a job as a custodian and boiler maintenance man for the Wayne Board of Education. His work was always in the George Washington Middle School and he was loved by all – students and faculty alike. You could say that Greg retired twice from the Wayne Board of Ed., but the first time he only told his family, and to celebrate, he took them all, including his two sons-in-law and grandchildren, to Disney World in Florida. After that trip, he changed his mind and worked a little more until officially retiring in 2014 after nine years on the job.
Greg and Jackie spent thirty years living in Wayne but, being such a tight-knit family, they eventually followed their two daughters and their families to Pompton Lakes where they’ve lived for the past five years.
Following that official retirement Greg did a little work on the side for the Pompton Lakes Board of Education but his real new job – one that he would probably say was his best – was spending time with his three granddaughters and one grandson. Those kids couldn’t have been blessed with a better “Grampy.” He always brought them to school and when he picked them up at the end of the day, they loved to “con” him into taking them to Dunkin Donuts. Other times when asked, he’d take them to Party Fair. They knew Grampy didn’t especially love that store but the fact that he happily took them anyway just made them love and respect him even more.
Greg loved to get outside and work in his yard. He took care of it meticulously – so meticulously that he was even known to get out there with a pair of scissors to trim his grass and bushes to perfection. He also loved to go to Mount Airy Lodge. It’s not that he was a big gambler at all! He just loved the whole experience and doing something that came natural to him – making friends with strangers. His girls will always remember growing up and spending summers down the shore at LBI and, more recently, going altogether with his children and grandchildren to Cape May as well as countless trips over the years to Disney World.
Three months ago, Greg and Jackie celebrated 45 years of marriage by spontaneously taking the whole family to that family favorite destination - Disney World. The family’s last big event with Greg was this past December 3, 2016. He surprised the whole family with a trip to New York City to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall followed by a nice family dinner at the Bryant Park Grill. Four days later he received the official diagnosis of Leukemia. He was doing great but life’s events don’t always work out exactly the way we wish. His family, who loved Greg so incredibly much, now rely on their faith and your prayers as they struggle through the difficult days ahead.
Greg was a selfless man who would do anything for anyone. He had a big personality and a great sense of humor. He possessed the “gift of gab” and was friendly to anyone and everyone he would meet. You could not find someone with a bigger heart. He was the best husband, father, and grampy anyone could ask for who will forever live on with his loved ones in their hearts.
Surviving are Greg’s beloved wife of 45 years, Jacqueline (nee Merritt): two dear daughters: Kimberly and husband Brian Sek of Pompton Lakes and Jennifer and husband Raymond Bosma also of Pompton Lakes; four cherished grandchildren: Kaeley and Brenna Sek, and Connor, and Kendall Bosma; six loving sisters and one loving brother: Mary Ann Smith, Diane Geary, Marjorie Lee, Bonnie Porcelli, Debra McManon, Terry Verblaauw, and Paul Foy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his loving parents: William Foy in 1972, Lena Foy in 2006, and his dear loving brother William Foy in 1967.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Greg’s name are asked to consider The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 14 Commerce Drive, Suite 301, Cranford, NJ 07016 (www.lls.org/new-jersey), or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 (www.stjude.org).
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