Leo M. Foley

Leo M. Foley, 74, of Nashua, NH, passed away peacefully on March 23 in the arms of his beloved wife, Darlene, with his two cherished daughters, Kathryn and Sharon, by his side. After battling an aggressive cancer, Leo spent his final days sharing precious moments with family and friends, bringing them comfort with his remarkable sense of humor.

Born in Lowell, Leo was the son of the late Leo A. Foley and Elinor M. (Barrows) Foley. He attended St. Margaret’s School and Lowell High School, graduating in 1966. Leo served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1970 and played in the U.S. Army Band, where he was thrilled to sit in with the Glen Miller Band and accompany the great Etta James. He later attended Lowell State Teachers College, receiving his BA in Music Education in 1974.

Leo spent over 35 years as a Music Educator in Littleton, MA, enriching the lives of thousands of students and their families. Additionally, he was an accomplished musician, playing professionally from his teenage years up until his recent illness. He performed with several bands across New England, including Family Affair, Sound Advice, and Mike Girard’s Big Swinging Thing, and played in countless musicals in Boston and surrounding areas. Most recently, Leo served as Conductor of the Post 48 American Legion Band in Hudson, NH.

Leo was a dedicated volunteer at The Plus Company, where his wife Darlene worked as a nurse, and they both proudly served as home providers to adults with developmental disabilities for 13 years. Leo was also a lifelong Bruins fan and avid fisherman.

In addition to his wife, Darlene Foley, Leo is survived by daughters Kathryn Foley (and her partner Jesse Steve), Ithaca, NY; and Sharon (Foley) Burgess (and Mike Burgess), Plymouth, MA; beloved grandchildren, Parker and Emily Burgess; sisters Joan (Foley) Fyfe and her husband Roy, Mansfield, TX, Rita (Foley) Stahl and her husband Michael, Haverhill, MA, Mary Lou (Foley) Rutherford and her husband Mark, Rollinsford, NH and Anne (Foley) Edmondson, Goffstown, NH; brother Gerry Foley and his wife Donna, Tyngsboro, MA; and brother-in-law Manuel Mendes, Tyngsboro, MA, husband of his beloved late sister, Judith (Foley) Mendes.

Leo was a devoted son in-law to Gladys Gilbert of Connecticut and was treasured by Darlene’s children, Jennifer, Christopher, and Bucky, as well as her 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is the beloved “Uncle Leo” to several nieces and nephews and the talented “Mr. Foley” to thousands of adoring students.

Leo’s inspirational music and unique sense of humor were his greatest gifts and have left us all with beautiful memories we will forever cherish.

A Memorial Service will be held at Crossway Christian Church in Nashua, where Leo was a member, on April 15, 2023 at 9:30 am (503 Main Dunstable Rd, Nashua, NH). The family looks forward to having a Celebration of Life for Leo on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in memory & honor of Leo to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.