Eddie Jay Foy's Obituary
A Life Well Lived...
Eddie James Jerome Foy was born on January 22, 1941 in Screven County, GA son of the late Hattie Mae Foy and Ed Foy. Initially an only child,. Eddie and his parents soon welcomed younger brother David. Seeking a better life for their sons. Hattie moved to New York and Ed to North Carolina for work. Leaving Eddie and his brother David in the care of their grandmother Toreatha Thomas (aka Big Momma). Big Momma was very strict but loving. She taught them to be responsible men.
Growing up in Sylvania, GA Eddie and his brother David has many adventures in Big Momma's 1949 Chevy. They developed a love of baseball. Eddie played on his High School baseball team as a shortstop and third baseman. Eddie Graduated from Central High School in Sylvania, GA. He gave his life to Christ at a very young age and attended Gospel Light Church of Christ Holiness Unto the Lord in Halycendale, GA
After high school, he was drafted into the army. Stationed in White Sands. New Mexico during the Vietnam War, Eddie was a Lieutenant vehicle driver. He became an expert rifleman. During his tour, Eddie received a medal of good conduct and was honorably discharged.
Upon leaving the service, Eddie moved to New York City to join his mother and Aunt Sis(Ella Thomas Reid) and started a job at the post office. As a young adult in New York Eddie enjoyed his post army life. Eddie, brother DAvid, cousin Richard Griffin and friends relocated from Georgia started their own baseball team where they played other teams in the NYC area.
Eddie, his brother David and cousin Beverly decided to throw a basement party in Aunt Sis's Brooklyn home, little did he know this party would change the course o this life. At the party Eddie was introduced to Wilhelmina Bailey. They began dating and were inseparable. After a year and a half of dating, in 1967 they married and moved to the Bronx, New York. Eddie left the post office and began his career working for New York Transit Authority. He was a train engineer working on the 1,9,2,3 and 4 trains. Eddie had a love for trains and was an avid collector of old-fashioned model cars.
In 1970, the couple was blessed to welcome their first child Denise. Six years later they welcomed their second child Cicely. After years of living in New York City, Eddie and Willie purchased their first home in Irvington, New Jersey. In 1981, they welcomed their son and third child Eric. Eddie was excited about his son's arrival and complementing their family. Eddie loved spending quality time and traveling with his family. Eddie and Willie introduced their love of travel to their children. He always prioritized taking his family on trips from Myrtle Beach to Disney World. There was nothing he would not do for them. Eddie had no problem opening his home to friends and family alike, in their time of need. He served as a father figure to many.
In the early 1980's Eddie rededicated his life to Christ and attended Redeemer Church of Christ under the leadership of his pastor and close friend Elder Ivory Kelly. To further root himself in the word, Eddie attended Milton Solomon Bennett Bible Institute. Eddie was a true servant of the Lord and his mission was spreading the gospel of Christ. Eddie ensured that God was the foundation of his home and passed his love of the Lord to his children. At Redeemer he started out as a walking Deacon later becoming Chairman Deacon. He was very active in the Outreach Ministry. Annually he organized the clothing drive and holiday hot meal distribution. He believed in serving the community where he worshiped. He was recognized for his dedicated service to the Family and Friends Day Committee and building fund efforts. Eddie could often be found working to help upkeep the church building, participating in street ministry, helping a church member with handy work or driving someone home. Eddie was the definition of a servant leader.
Eddie retired from New York Transit Authority in 2001, after 32 years of service. He loved being home spending time with his family. Eddie naturally settled into his role of Pap to his first grandchild Zione, whom he was just smitten with. To stay busy Eddie took on a part time job with The ARC of Union County. There he was fully retired thereafter. Eddie and Willie continued to travel on Caribbean cruises, trips to Georgia and loved to travel with thr family to their favorite place Aruba. Cooking out in the backyard was his all-time favorite pastimes. Eddie was blessed to become a Pap again to his two grandsons Macai and Hudson.
Eddie will be remembered for his compassion, hard work in all he did, and his quiet strength. His legacy is the love, guidance, and his service to God. He was a living example of living a life ordered by God. On Monday, April 20,2020, the Lord called his faithful servant home.
Eddie leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of 51 years Wilhelmina, daughters Denise and Cicely, son Eric (Soraya Foy), granddaughter Zione Green grandson's Macai Brown and Hudson Foy, brother David Foy (Lorraine Foy) of Hillside, NJ, brother in law Jenneth Bailey, Aunts Alma Foy of Savannah, GA and Ruby Foy of Sylvania, GA Uncle John Foy of Sylvania, GA and dedicated cousin Jimmy Foy (Doris Foy) of Hillside, NJ
Elder Ivory Kelly and the Redeemer Family, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
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