Michael J. Foley Sr.

Michael J. Foley, Sr., of Belmont and Chatham, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. Cherished husband of Marian T. Ryan. Devoted father of Michael J. Foley, Jr. and Elizabeth R. Foley. Dear brother of Robert A. Foley, Jr. (Meredith) of Leominster, Mary Foley Eichorn (Frederick), Ellen Macrelli (Robert), and Patrice DeAngelo (Joseph), all of Dorchester, and brother-in-law of Carolyn Allen (James) of Wilmington, Joyce Ryan (Leo) of Littleton, and Robert L. Ryan, Jr. (Susanna) of Milton. Loving uncle, granduncle and godfather. Also survived by his large collection of friends from every stage of his life. Predeceased by his parents, Robert A. Foley, Sr., and Alice P. (Brennan) Foley.

A Dorchester native, Michael was a proud graduate of Boston College High School and Stonehill College, where he majored in math and economics. He earned his MBA from the Boston College Carroll School of Management. After working for several years in both real estate development and data analysis, Michael spent over three decades as an Economist with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), where he served for many years as an Assistant Regional Commissioner. At BLS, Michael was passionate about analyzing and evaluating various aspects of the economy, but he took even greater pride in coaching and mentoring new economists. Michael was a past Treasurer of the Dorchester Historical Society and a former member of the Parish Council at St. Joseph’s Church in Belmont. Michael enjoyed travel, traditional Irish music, architecture and American history, but he found his greatest joy, by far, in spending time with his wife, children and his loyal pup, Nellie.

The family respectfully invites relatives and friends to attend his funeral Mass at St. Ann’s Church, 251 Neponset Ave., Dorchester, MA on Saturday, November 23, at 10:30 AM. Reception will follow. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that gifts in Michael’s memory be made to either St. Sebastian’s School (https://www.stsebs.org/support/give-online) or Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (https://www.newtoncountryday.org/give/online-giving). Anyone who wishes to share a memory with the family may do so at FoleyMemories@gmail.com

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