ESSEX FELLS, NJ - The family of Adrian M. Foley, Jr., has announced that he passed away at his Essex Fells home on Monday at the age of 93, surrounded by family. Family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn his absence.
Bud Foley was born on a farm in Bartlett, North Dakota, now almost a ghost town, and at an early age moved with his family to Arlington Avenue in Caldwell, New Jersey. He attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark and was the first recipient of the school's 'Saint Benedict’s Prep Medal' and was also elected to its Hall of Fame.
Foley went on to graduate cum laude from Seton Hall University; he later served as a Trustee and on the Board of Overseers of the University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary for over a decade. He was also the first recipient of the university's 'All University Award.' Later in life, Foley also received an honorary PhD degree from what is now St. Peter’s University.
A decorated veteran of World War II, First Lieutenant Adrien Foley was a B-24 navigator in the United States Army Air Corps who flew missions over the Mediterranean, Baltic and European theaters. His awards included:
Bud Foley was born on a farm in Bartlett, North Dakota, now almost a ghost town, and at an early age moved with his family to Arlington Avenue in Caldwell, New Jersey. He attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark and was the first recipient of the school's 'Saint Benedict’s Prep Medal' and was also elected to its Hall of Fame.
Foley went on to graduate cum laude from Seton Hall University; he later served as a Trustee and on the Board of Overseers of the University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary for over a decade. He was also the first recipient of the university's 'All University Award.' Later in life, Foley also received an honorary PhD degree from what is now St. Peter’s University.
A decorated veteran of World War II, First Lieutenant Adrien Foley was a B-24 navigator in the United States Army Air Corps who flew missions over the Mediterranean, Baltic and European theaters. His awards included:
- Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Presidential Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters
- Five battle stars for support action in the European Theater
"Mary was Bud's college sweetheart," a family member described.
"Until her death in 2005, they were inseparable.
Friends fondly referred to the dynamic couple by one name: “BudandMary.”
After marriage, Foley then received his law degree from Columbia Law School and later was a member of its Board of Visitors. He served as Essex County Surrogate from 1954 to 1958 and was the youngest elected surrogate in New Jersey. Immediately after, he joined, and became a partner, in what is now the Connell Foley law firm.
Foley was active in all facets of the organized bar and his achievements include:
Foley was active in all facets of the organized bar and his achievements include:
- 1964 to 1965
Served as the youngest president of the New Jersey Bar Association - Tenth chairman, one of the first, of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Section on Litigation
- Chairman of ABA Initial Commission on Advertising, the first to permit lawyer advertising
- New Jersey's state delegate in the House of Delegates of the ABA
- Member of the Board of Governors of the ABA and chairman of programs of that Board
- Served as director of the American Judicature Society (AJS)
- Permanent delegate to the Third Circuit Judicial Conference
- Served as commissioner of the Select Committee on Constitutional Convention
- Chairman of the Commission to Revise the Insurance laws of New Jersey, a five-man commission establishing the State’s position on the death penalty
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Attorneys
- Fellow of the American College of Estate and Trust Counsel
- Honored by the New Jersey Commission on Excellence in Law with the Justice Daniel O’Hern Award in recognition of his “Commitment to Professionalism, Outstanding Career Achievement and Service to the Bar"
“Bud Foley made our firm what it is today,”
managing partner of Connell Foley Michael X. McBride commented.
“He was a friend and mentor to everyone here,
and a wonderfully gifted attorney respected throughout the legal community. He cared tremendously for his clients and colleagues
and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Foley covered many noteworthy criminal and civil cases. His law firm noted that the New York Times Chief Political Correspondent Richard Reeves once listed him as the one of the 15 most powerful men in New Jersey. He was described by Reeves as an attorney “who generally turns up on one side or the other in all major legal disputes affecting New Jersey.”
"Mr. Foley tried numerous cases in the appellate courts, both state and federal, and in the New Jersey Supreme Court, where he upheld
the constitutionality of New Jersey’s first general tax, the Sales and Use Tax,"
a spokesperson for the Connell Foley law firm stated.
"In another New Jersey Supreme Court decision, he represented the State of New York in a dispute between New York and New Jersey which resulted in a judgment holding the New Jersey 'commuter tax' to be unconstitutional.
And in a landmark decision, Bud succeeded in obtaining a
Supreme Court Judgment mandating a reversal of an election result
that had deposed the mayor and the entire governing body of Atlantic City.
This case was one of the first decisions in the country
upholding the sanction provisions of the 'Sunshine Law.'"
As one of New Jersey’s leading trial lawyers for six decades, Foley's friends and colleagues at the law firm were considered by him as "his second family;" where they considered him "one of the firm’s most beloved and respected partners."
Early in his career, Foley had a strong interest in politics. After his successful 1954 election resulting in his becoming Essex County Surrogate, a decade later Foley was the manager for the 1964 re-election campaign of US Senator Harrison A. Williams who served New Jersey from 1959 to 1982.
New Jersey's former NJ State Democratic Party Chair and current Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin, recalled the days his father, John J. Giblin, and Foley ran on the same democratic ticket in 1954; along with Foley's win, Giblin successfully won his race for freeholder that year.
New Jersey's former NJ State Democratic Party Chair and current Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin, recalled the days his father, John J. Giblin, and Foley ran on the same democratic ticket in 1954; along with Foley's win, Giblin successfully won his race for freeholder that year.
"I had the good fortune to know Bud
since my early childhood days in Essex County," Giblin explained.
"My father, John J. Giblin, and he ran together on that
'54 Dem ticket which provided an opportunity
for the first time in over 50 years for Dems to be in the Hall of Records.
He was also a great Irishmen,
he served as the President to the St. Patrick's Guard of Honor.
Foley was a well-respected attorney, a consummate gentleman, who strongly loved his Family, Faith and his Irish heritage."
Throughout his life, Foley continued to affect the state's business and legislative communities. In 1966, Foley was appointed by Governor Richard J. Hughes to preside as president of New Jersey’s Fourth Constitutional Convention. Mandated by a court order, the convention was established by the Democratic governor who was working with a Republican legislature - at a time when the state was dominated by a rural, legislative-led government. The convention itself was described in Ernest C. Reock Jr. book "Unfinished Business: The New Jersey Constitutional Convention of 1966" as combative, with a "stalemate appearing inevitable." Under Foley's political maneuvering and leadership, it went on to rewrite numerous legislative articles and brought equal representation permanently to the state, greatly increasing the power of the governor and its court system.
Appointed by Governor William Cahill, and then re-appointed by Governor Brendan Byrne, Foley served from 1970 to 1982 as the first treasurer and chief financial officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Foley's negotiation skills were considered exemplary and were needed during the initial Meadowlands construction.
Appointed by Governor William Cahill, and then re-appointed by Governor Brendan Byrne, Foley served from 1970 to 1982 as the first treasurer and chief financial officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Foley's negotiation skills were considered exemplary and were needed during the initial Meadowlands construction.
"Together with Sports Authority Chairman Sonny Werblin,
Bud was instrumental in devising a bond issue
that generated the funds for construction of Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Race Track," stated a family member.
"This was no small feat, given the fierce political opposition from
New York City and State officials that fought to keep the
Giants from moving across the Hudson River."
Joseph P. Brennan, of West Orange, remembers when he was elected Essex County Surrogate in 1996, Foley called him right away, offering his congratulations and any assistance Joe may have needed.
"Bud was a true gentleman," Brennan stated.
"He was very sophisticated, very knowledgeable.
And yet - in many ways - for all the power that he had,
he was always kind and down to earth."
Although highly respected and a powerful force in state, and to some extent national, political activities, Foley remained keenly interested in local Essex County and municipal politics as well.
"God Bless Bud Foley, I considered him a role model; may he rest in peace,"
Michael Slattery of Caldwell expressed.
"For many of us, our connection to the Foley family
goes back to when Bud's brother Jack was our Scout Master.
But my ties to Bud started with politics and he really
had an influence that played out in the lives of so many of us
that went on to be politically active in Caldwell.
Slattery described how he and his other recent college graduate friends used to debate the events of the day at what was then Bill Cooper's Tavern on Bloomfield Avenue, near Roseland Avenue, in Caldwell.
"I recall one night in 1964 at Bill Cooper's," Slattery continued,
"someone suggested we should get off our butts and get involved in politics.
Knowing that Bud Foley was the campaign manager for Senator Williams,
it was decided that we should call him and volunteer
to work on the campaign - and I was elected to make the call.
Soon we were all assigned various jobs, starting with learning how to correctly
put on bumper stickers by the legendary king of bumper stickers, Irv Tucker!
Thus began the political career of myself, Kay Slattery, Pete Stewart,
Tom Gartland, Sue Gartland, Dick Brennan,
and so many others that went on to serve on Caldwell's governing body."
For many years, Foley was also a member of the Board of Directors of Prudential Insurance Company where he chaired the Finance Committee.
"Adrian Foley lived a life of remarkable accomplishment
without sacrificing his firmly held religious beliefs or the
ethical responsibilities of his legal profession," a family member commented.
"With his extraordinary power of persuasion, combined with his wise vision,
his life defined the concept of thoughtful leadership.
He was a man of warmth and grace
who could never say no to any call for help, without hesitation."
A devoted Catholic, Foley was a member of the historic Order of the Knights of Malta and received a 'Medal of Service' from the Archdiocese of Newark for whom he served as legal counsel for many years. Foley was also a Commander of the Knights of Saint Gregory and a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. He was a lector, Eucharistic Minister and daily communicant at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Roseland.
"There is just so much to tell about Uncle Bud,"
his nephew John Paul commented.
"He was a daily communicant and received the
honor of a Red Mass at the Basilica in Newark.
He enjoyed playing and watching football as much as he did golf.
He deeply loved his brothers and sister and
his deepest love was that for his wife Mary"
An avid golfer, Bud Foley was a member of the Essex Fells Country Club since 1959, where for six years, he also served as trustee. According to the New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA), Foley served as their legal counsel since the 1980s and became their president in 1986. While president, he influenced the revision of NJSGA by-laws by removing any reference to public or private facilities within the membership of the NJSGA. In addition, Foley, along with Robert “Bob” Cronheim, was co-recipient of the 2013 NJSGA/NJPGA Celebration of Golf Distinguished Service Award; Foley also was active at the state and national level as a member of the USGA Regional Affairs Committee. Together, Foley and Cronheim were the impetus behind the creation of NJSGA headquarters at Galloping Hill Golf Course, a project which took over twenty years to complete.
Foley was also a member of the Skeeters Club of York City.
Foley was also a member of the Skeeters Club of York City.
“Bud's personal mission was to encourage juniors and children
to participate in golf at the Essex Fells County club, at which he was
highly successful," commented Frank O’Brien, NJSGA president.
"However, Bud was a quiet dynamo behind the NJSGA scenes, staying out
of the limelight while actively growing the game and the NJSGA over the years.
He provided a major thrust and laid the foundation to what we see today as
our beautiful office accommodation at the Galloping Hill Golf Course,
and he was a lifetime sustaining members and one of the most generous donors in the history of the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation.
His contributions to our Association,
both in time and treasure, were enormous."
Bud Foley's Family
Bud Foley was predeceased by his wife Mary Malone Foley, as well as by his sister, Irene, and his brother, Jack. He is survived by:
Bud Foley was predeceased by his wife Mary Malone Foley, as well as by his sister, Irene, and his brother, Jack. He is survived by:
- Bud's Children
Adrian M. Foley III and his wife, Lindy, of Duncan, South Carolina
Dianne Foley of Shaker Heights, Ohio
Corinne Foley Errico, and her husband, Robert, of Short Hills
Christopher Foley, and his wife, Jenny, of Alpharetta, Georgia - Bud's Grandchildren
Matthew Foley
Leif Dormsjo
Margaret Cantu, and her husband, Eric
Michael Foley
Rosie Miskowicz, and her husband, Chris
David Foley, and his wife, Jill
Andrew Errico, and his wife, Sarah
Daniel Errico
Jill Hearey
Adam Foley
Owen Foley Hearey
Eli Foley
Josh Foley - Bud's Great-Grandchildren
Colin, Enrique, Catrina, Elijah, John David, Esperanza, Abigail, Lucas, Jude, Thomas, and "one special blessing on the way" - Bud's Brothers
Stephen Foley, and his wife, Patricia
Deacon Brendan Foley
Quentin Foley, and his wife, Ann
Brien Foley, and his wife, Mary
Memorial Arrangements
The memorial arrangements for Adrian M. Foley are as follows:
The memorial arrangements for Adrian M. Foley are as follows:
- Wake
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church
28 Livingston Avenue, Roseland - Friday, Feb. 13
3pm to 9pm
- Friday, Feb. 13
- Mass of Christian Burial
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church
28 Livingston Avenue, Roseland - Saturday, Feb. 14
10am - Internment
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
225 Ridgedale Road, East Hanover
Message of Condolence
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Farmer Funeral Home of Roseland. Notes of sympathy to the family may be written online here.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Farmer Funeral Home of Roseland. Notes of sympathy to the family may be written online here.
Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations to Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School would be greatly appreciated:
In lieu of flowers, donations to Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School would be greatly appreciated:
- Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School
In Recognition of Adrien M. Foley, Jr.
520 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Newark, NJ 07102 - or online here
Foley's family noted that he enjoyed story telling. After his numerous achievements, self-deprecation was a favorite theme of his and his motto was “Frequently in error; never in doubt!”
When New Jersey Monthy magazine described him as ”probably the most powerful lawyer in New Jersey,” Bud Foley is said to have called it: "a piece of fanciful fiction."
When New Jersey Monthy magazine described him as ”probably the most powerful lawyer in New Jersey,” Bud Foley is said to have called it: "a piece of fanciful fiction."
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