Walter T. Foley

Walter Thomas Foley, 98, of Clarks Summit, died June 13, 2013 at the Regional Hospital of Scranton Hospice. He was the husband of the late Pauline Yaremchak Foley who died in 2012. The couple had been married for 75 wonderful years. Walter and his wife raised six children and assured that they all achieved college degrees.

Born in Dickson City in 1915, he was the son of the late Joseph and Sara Demboski Folejewski. His first job was with Western Union. As a young man and during the depression, he participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). He worked for several automotive factories and dealerships including Ford and Studebaker. He was educated and then taught at the Johnson College of Technology. Walter was a man of many talents. He was an accomplished artist, musician, family man, sportsman, businessman, local politician, and investor.

In 1942 he co-founded and was owner of Smith & Foley Two Tone Body Shop, a Scranton automotive repair business. He was a founding member and director of the Fleetville Fire Company. He was a member of the Master Automotive Repair Association, the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Motor Club Association, and the Benton's Men's club. He was a member and director of the Baylors Lake Association. His home improvement skills were notable including the design and construction of a lake house at Baylors Lake. Later in life, along with his wife, they created many miniature models of Waverly's and Fleetville's historic buildings.

Surviving are three daughters, Carolee McBee, Jonestown, Pa.; Phyllis Silldorff and husband Pete, Lebanon Pa; and Barbara Beswick and husband James, Sebring Fl.; two sons Chip and wife Kate Gaithersburg, MD; and Joe and wife Maria, Woodsboro, MD; thirteen grandchildren; Cyja, Erik, Kurt, Thom, Clare, Brett, Jill, London, Tristan, Chase, Julie, Jennifer, and Erich; six great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Tom, and by all his sisters and brothers, Stella, Ethel, Helen, Pearl, Joe, Eddie, and Sid.

A memorial service will be held on July 13th, at 11:30 am from the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Service Inc., 418 S. State St. Clarks Summit Pa. 18411, with services by Barbara Snyder, Pastor at the Waverly United Methodist Church. Friends may call from 10 am until time of service. Interment will follow at the Chase Cemetery, Fleetville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his favorite radio station, WVIA FM, 100 WVIA Way, Pittston Pa., 18640 or online donations can be made at www.wvia.org.