Thomas R. Foley

Thomas “Tom” Richard Foley (70) passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023, at his home with his family lovingly by his side, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Tom was born on October 9, 1952, to Richard Thomas and Frances Glory (Altfilisch) Foley in Davenport, IA. He graduated from Assumption High School in 1971 and St. Ambrose College in 1975 with degrees in Art and History. Tom began dating Diane Shumate when she was a freshman and he was a junior in college. Their relationship was tested by many adventures including Tom coaching Diane in intramural basketball, multiple canoeing and camping trips, and even a trip to Europe. Tom married Diane on October 15, 1977 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport.

Tom worked as a tech writer and graphic artist, but his true passions laid outside of the office. Tom loved tennis, which he played competitively until his diagnosis, and coached at Assumption High School. He was also an avid outdoorsman, and loved biking, tending to his vast array of exotic plants, and planning his next big hike. Tom’s outdoor feats included summitting several Colorado 14ers (14,000’ mountains), completing the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike, and participating in multiple TOMRV and RAGBRAI rides. Tom shared his love of the outdoors with his family and friends, whether they wanted him to or not. His legendary trip planning led to one unforgettable near-death experience in the desert, which the family still jokes about to this day. 

Tom was a problem solver and he welcomed opportunities to creatively address challenges. He would see a linear process and breathe life into it. Over the years Tom honed his carpentry skills, transforming his home through various projects - skills his daughters took advantage of once they owned their own homes. 

In recent years, Tom and Diane enjoyed traveling the country in their Prius to hike and visit family and friends. Tom (also known as Papa) always put his grandchildren first, dropping whatever he was doing to spend quality time with them and sharing his passions and love of nature. His vigor for life touched everyone around him and his wit and dry sense of humor will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 45 years, Diane, Davenport; daughters: Sarah (Nicholas) Cortez, Oceanside, CA, Eileen (Kate Egghart) Foley, Philadelphia, PA, and Adrianne (Daniel) Gillen, Davenport; grandchildren: Alexander and Valentine Cortez, Sloane, Ava, and Thomas Gillen; siblings: Patrick (Rev. Mari Thorkelson) Foley, Minnesota, Kathleen McNaught, Nan (Patrick) Crossen, Elizabeth (Eric) Swanson, and William Foley, all of Davenport; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Phillip McNaught, and a niece, Krista (McNaught) Cuppy. 

A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 4:30pm on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the Gazebo inside of Duck Creek Park. Followed by a celebration of Tom’s life at the Duck Creek Lodge, which will be Open House from 5:00-9:00pm. Memorials may be made to Diane for a Memorial tree and plaque to be placed in Duck Creek Park. There will also soon be a scholarship set up in Tom’s name.