Joseph Patrick Foley, age 64, of Boscobel and Monroe, WI, passed away, June 9, 2023 at UW Madison hospital after a brief illness.  

He was born in Prairie du Chien,  Wisconsin on July 21, 1958 to Calvin and Irene (Doll) Foley, the fourth of six children.

He attended Immaculate Conception Grade school and Boscobel High School where he graduated in 1976.  

During grade school and high school Joe was a long-time newspaper delivery boy.  

Joe played grade school and High School Basketball and was well-versed in the Stats of all opposing teams.  He was also a statistician for the Boscobel High Football team and again was well-versed in the statistics of opposing teams.

He faithfully worked many days at his Grandparents Bartley and Hattie Foley’s farm, rural Steuben.   

He truly enjoyed many hunting trips with the “Foley Men” to the family’s cabin at Rock Dam Lake.  Many summer vacations were enjoyed there as well. 

He lived in Houston, Texas for a period of time and worked in Construction

He joined the Army National Guard in 1988 and was honorably discharged in 1990.

He assisted Bo Ryan at UW Platteville Basketball Summer camps while also attending UW Platteville himself.  He later graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Language Arts.

He married Lesa Mayor in 1991.  Their years of marriage were blessed with two children, Kayla Marie Foley and Scott Joseph Foley.  Their family attended the Prairie du Chien Rendezvous each year on Father’s Day Weekend and they enjoyed many camping trips with family as well as numerous family events.   Joe and Lesa later divorced.

His teaching credentials included 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at Franklin Middle School, Janesville; and Special Education Teacher at Monroe Middle School.  He later worked at Swiss Colony,  Klondike Cheese and Scott Industries.

He was a long time youth basketball coach.  He ran the Boscobel City Men’s Basketball league for a time.

From 1990 – 2000 he held several high school Boy’s Basketball coaching positions, including assistant High School coach at Wauzeka-Steuben; Head High School coach at  Belmont High School; JV coach at Janesville Parker (a phone call from Bo Ryan helped land him this position) and Head coach at Monticello High School.  He greatly assisted in improving these basketball programs.  He was most proud of his Monticello team’s accomplishment of earning the Conference Championship on the very day his son Scott was born in 1999.  

Joe was an antique tube radio enthusiast.  He was partial to antique radios from the 1930’s and 40’s and could repair or refurbish one easily.

Joe was an expert backyard mechanic.  He worked on whatever needed fixing.

He was a history and family ancestry buff, always eagerly willing to share his knowledge and photos.

Joe was well known for his dry sense of humor.  He always graced family and friends with his jokes or celebrity impressions.

Joe is survived by his children, Kayla Foley of Juda, Scott Foley of Platteville; One brother Pat (Terri) Foley of Boscobel; three sisters – Linda (Ed) Marks of Westby; Jane Eckerman of Onalaska, and Nan (Jim) Washburn of Soldiers Grove, as well a 16 nieces and nephews and 28 great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by his lifelong best friend, Mike Pendleton of Boscobel.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Cal and Irene Foley; an infant sister, Mary Lee Foley; a niece, Amelia Marks; and a nephew, John Bartley Marks .

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday June 16, 2023 at 11:00  A.M. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Boscobel.  Father Christopher Padilla officiating.  Burial in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Seneca. Friends may call on Friday June 16, 2023 from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Boscobel. The Kendall Funeral Service in Boscobel is assisting the family. Online condolences can be sent to www.kendallfuneralservice.com