Heart Partners
A Heart-to-Heart: GEORGE FOLEY
How did you become involved with Olivia's House?
Being in the funeral and casket business I saw how children, all too often were either ignored or even forgotten after the loss of a family member. I learned more as I visited with Alan Wolfelt who ended up being one of Leslie's mentors. When I came back to York and joined the toastmaster group they quickly nicknamed me, "Mr. Death" and my reputation began to grow in the community. After hearing about Leslie and what she was trying to create from many people, we finally connected and it is all history from there.
What is your favorite memory of Olivia's House?
I have many wonderful memories of this organization and they are all so dear to me but I truly cherish having had the opportunity to see Olivia's House go from 'what it was' to 'what it is'. As we worked on the property for a year remodeling, not only was a building transformed but everyone who worked on it was transformed too. It was so much more than brute force labor that made Olivia's House what it is today, it was physical love, and I am proud to have been a part of that.
What wish do you have for the future of Olivia's House?
From the first day I opened the window in the hallway on the second floor and saw the brick wall of the attached property I wanted to break through and make one large center. Now that that is happening my wish is for Olivia's House to reach more families without growing out of itself. What is so wonderful about Olivia's House is that they stay true to their mission and do it well and they need to keep it that way. It is my wish that the community continues to recognize how lucky we are to have a center like this and continue to nurture and support it.
What does a typical day include?
A typical day for me has certainly changed over the years. Now that I don't have my boat or my motorcycle I spend my time either working in my garage or in my yard and spending time with my wife.
Who are your heroes?
have had many heroes in my lifetime but I really admire Bishop Sheen, (I used to watch him on the TV as a child), Ronald Regan and Evil Knievel. But my real hero of course is my father who was simply a hard working man.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
My wife Nancy seems to think people would be surprised to know that I don't try to be funny it just comes naturally, but what does she know?
Describe an excellent vacation for you?
If I could leave tomorrow I would go to the Caribbean for a bare-boat sailing trip. A bare-boat trip is where there is nothing on the boat except what you choose to take with you. You are not bound by anything! You chart your own course, get your own food and let God take you where he may.
What can always be found in your refrigerator?
Years ago I would have said beer but these days it is prune juice.
What TV shows do you watch?
I love to watch American Idol, the Fox News Team and my wife forces me to watch the rodeo with her.
Being so successful with your career, are there any unfulfilled ambitions of yours?
At the end of everything I have ever done is my desire to help a child and lately I have not been able to be out there helping. So once I am healthy again I hope to fulfill that ambition. As for a more selfish unfulfilled ambition, I have always wanted to travel. I would love to visit Italy and Rome, see the northern lights in Alaska and I am always chomping at the bit to spend more time in Ireland.
How would you define success?
To me success is just a peace of mind. I consider myself successful when I am able to sit on my porch and read my paper knowing that the people I love and have mentored are out in the world making a positive difference
What was your proudest accomplishment?
The day we took The York Casket Company public could possibly be my proudest accomplishment. I remember being so tickled that day that everything went just right, that I almost peed myself!
How do you want to be remembered?
I want people to know that in my lifetime I felt it was so important to give, not just in money, but in time, energy and love. I want people to remember that and to do the same.
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