Patrick J. Foley, 78, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital. Graveside Military Honors will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, October 25, 2024, at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls. A Memorial Mass will take place at 1:30 PM, Saturday, October 26, 2024, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish (1800 S. Katie Ave. Sioux Falls, SD.)

Patrick Joseph Foley was born on July 24, 1946, to parents Patrick Joseph and Kathrine (Kelly) Foley in County Wicklow, Ireland. It has been said that life is a journey not a destination, and the beauty of the journey is found in the scenery along the way. Patrick Joseph Foley lived his life with the God given gift, to see and enjoy all the beauty this life has to offer. He traveled his road as a living testament, that he was called, to help others see, that the beauty he saw, is all around us. We just have to see life like Pat. People have said Pat, must have kissed the Blarney Stone. A reference to an Irish legend that said the person who kissed the stone would be given the gift of gab with great eloquence. With Blarney Castle just 3 hours south along the Irish Sea from where Pat grew up in County Wicklow Ireland, there truly is little doubt this is true. He had an unmatched skill to be able to see the good in everyone he met and thank them for sharing their beauty with the world.

Kind, generous, selfless, giving, loving, teacher, devoted, trusting, grateful, amazing, encouraging, big-hearted, and a great man are just a few of the words used to describe Pat and how he traveled down the path of life. All clear to see in the love he shared with his forever partner,  Mary Lou… And how he was touched by The Master's Hand in the way he raised his children… And in how he welcomed the people important to his children with open arms… And in how he cherished his 16 grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family… And in how he saw every person he met as a friend. When we pass from this life, words are often written about what we did for fun, where we worked, and the places we visited. Yes, Pat saw the world traveling with his parents from Ireland to Chicago, Illinois. Graduated high school in 1964, became a naturalized citizen, served in the US Air Force, and worked as an engineer for over 31 years. All of which are important landmarks along his journey.

But the most important words that should be written, and that we all should remember, were best expressed when one of his children said, "Everything that truly matters in life I learned from my dad!" Simply put, traveling this life with endless Faith, Hope, & Love, just like Pat. Two final things - For the Irish people, blessings are very important and traditionally passed down through the generations as a way of wishing someone good luck and fortune on their journey through life. One of the most well-known blessings refers to the wind, God's Holy Spirit powering us through all challenges… the Sun, God's Mercy forgiving all our failings… And Rain, God's endless Love, is always there to help us grow.

Now understand that County Wicklow in Ireland where Pat was born and raised for the first 14 years of his life is called, The Garden of Ireland. With all this in mind, if we sit quietly and think of Pat's journey in this life, we just might be able to see him walking through those bright green meadows… And just before he passes beyond the farthest hill, to the beauty of the life to come… If we listen close, we can hear Pat share this blessing, his final gift, and a reminder for us all to focus on, everything that truly matters…

Grateful for having shared his life are his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Lou Foley of Sioux Falls; seven children, Craig (Carrie) Foley of Naperville, IL, Michael (Debrah) Foley of Georgia, Michelle Schmick of Washington State, Debra (Chris) Giblin of Sioux Falls, Ryan (Ryann) Foley of Illinois, Erin (Dom) Syron of Illinois, and David (Nichol) Foley of Illinois; and 16 grandchildren, Jack, Hayden, Collin, Tess, Emma, Evan, Olivia, Owen, Hattie, Beau, Dax, Elliot, Emerson, Lily, Nolan, and Caleb. Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Katherine Foley; son-in-law, Eric Schmick; siblings, Michael Foley, Mary Moriarty, John Foley, Peter Foley, Anne Bullock, Kay Foley, Patricia Foley, Joan Griffin, Rose Harkin, Thomas Foley; and brothers-in-law, John Foley, John Griffin, Daniel Harkin, James Donovan, and Ronald Harry.