John Patrick Foley, Jr.

John Patrick Foley, Jr., 94, of Arcadia, Calif., passed away on Sept. 5, 2018. John was raised in Biloxi where he met and married the love of his life, Mary Virginia Bills. John and Mary moved to New Orleans to start his career in journalism at the States-Item Times Picayune newspaper. In 1961, John moved his family to Los Angeles when he took a position at the Times Mirror and later transitioned to the Los Angeles Times. John had many accomplishments in his career: as political editor covering Watergate and presidential conventions; coverage of the 1984 Olympics; founding editor of Column One; and instrumental in the expansion of the Times Poll. In 1989 he retired as Deputy Managing Editor. John also taught journalism at Cal State Northridge. In retirement he volunteered at the L.A. County Arboretum and was active in the literacy program at the library in Big Bear, Calif.
Preceded in death by his wife Mary, he leaves behind his six children, Chris (Betsy) Foley, Judy (Bob) Shafer, Tim (Mary) Foley, Mary (Joe) Falabrino, Marti Schuman, Robert (Sunita) Foley, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
He was a generous, unassuming, wise and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank his longtime caregivers Irma, Christine, Vicky, and Maria; and the staff at Silverado Sierra Vista for their loving care.
A visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 13 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Douglass & Zook. John's funeral service will be held Friday, Sept. 14 at 10:00 AM at Holy Angels Church, Arcadia followed by interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park and reception. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, a charitable donation be made towards a tree dedicated in his memory to Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation, Attn: John Foley Memorial, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007-2697.