Foley, Cornelius J.

RENSSELAER - Cornelius Joseph Foley died peacefully on July 30, 2023, at the Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Scotia, NY. He was surrounded by members of his family.

Neil, as he was known, was born in 1939 in Richmond Hill, NY, to Mary Clarke Foley and Cornelius J. Foley. He attended Holy Child Jesus grammar school in Richmond Hill, and graduated from St. John’s Preparatory High School in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He then attended Queens College in Flushing, NY, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and education in 1961.

Upon graduation, Neil entered U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and was commissioned an Ensign. His first assignment was to serve aboard the USS Long Beach CGN-9, the Navy’s first nuclear powered surface ship. After this tour, he requested destroyer duty, and was assigned to a newly commissioned guided missile destroyer, the USS Lawrence DDG-4. He served in Communications on both ships, traveling throughout the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea.

After returning from military service, Neil completed a Master of Science degree in education from Queens College in 1965. He received a fellowship to the School of Education at New York University, and earned his Ph.D. degree in 1971. Neil had an extensive career in education, administration and government affairs, spanning over 40 years. He was a social studies teacher in the Lynbrook Public Schools in Lynbrook, NY. Neil then left the classroom, and enjoyed time living in Buffalo, NY, working as a Finance and Legislation Specialist for Erie 1 BOCES. Neil then spent 10 years working for the NYS Assembly Ways and Means Committee in Albany, NY. He subsequently served as Assistant Secretary and later Deputy Secretary to the Governor for Education, Local Government and the Arts. In 1988, Neil was appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the NYS Senate as President of the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). He concurrently served as Special Assistant to the Governor on matters relating to education. Neil then worked for the State University of New York (SUNY) Central Administration, followed by 15 years spent at the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

Neil retired in 2010, and enjoyed visiting Seattle to spend time with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He also traveled to France to visit his wife’s family and friends. Neil loved jazz, the NY Mets and Giants, and staying up to date on news and politics. He was an avid reader, and could always be found among stacks of books from his local Rensselaer Public Library.

Neil is survived by his wife of 44 years, Michèle Pollard of Rensselaer, NY, his sister, Mary Lou Foley-Chellis of Westbury, NY, his sister- and brother-in-law, Suzanne Pollard and Clifford Schock of Nassau, NY. Neil was especially proud of his two children and their spouses: Gabrielle Foley and Uday Kodukula of Seattle, WA, and Clarke Foley and Samantha Toëws of Troy, NY. Neil loved his role as “Bop Bop” to his two grandchildren, Arjun and Savi Kodukula of Seattle, WA. He adored being an uncle to his niece, Mary Ellen Cosenza of Moorpark, CA, and his three nephews, Joseph DeCiutiis of New York, NY, Jack Foley of Locust Valley, NY and James DeCiutiis of Huntington Station, NY, and their families.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to remember Neil in a special way may send a contribution to Baptist Health, Quality of Work Life, 297 Ballston Road, Scotia, NY 12302.