1912 – 1985 (November 14)
Mortimer Paul Foley was born November 2, 1912 in Boston, Massachusetts to Edward Foley and Anna Cronin, and was baptized November 19, 1912 at St. Joseph Church, Roxbury, Mass. Mortimer received his early education at Shaw School, Boston, and was a 1930 graduate of Boston English High School. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1932, and professed simple vows in the Order on September 11, 1933. He was solemnly professed on September 11, 1936. After completing a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1937, he pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. until 1941. He also did graduate studies in English and History at The Catholic University of America, Washington. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1940.
Father Foley’s first assignment was in 1941 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a teacher. He was transferred the following year to St. Clare of Montefalco Church, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, where he served as assistant pastor. In 1948, he was named assistant pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Church, Chicago. From 1953 to 1957 he was Rector of Postulants at St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan. He returned to parish ministry in 1957 when he was appointed assistant pastor of St. Rita Parish, Chicago.
Because of declining health, he retired from full-time ministry in 1980, but continued to reside at St. Rita Parish. In his final years Father Foley suffered from atherosclerotic heart disease. He died November 14, 1985 as a result of congestive heart failure. Father Foley was a humorous and gentle man. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
