Stephen (Steve) X. Foley Sr.

At the age of 92 after a full and productive life Stephen (Steve) X. Foley Sr. of Lake Forest passed into Eternal Life on March 23, 2018. He was born November 30, 1925.

He is survived by his beloved wife Mercedes (nee Meyenberg) of 65 years. He was the proud and devoted father to daughters Mary Margaret Cathy and Maureen (Richard Schabel) and his son Steve Jr (Barbara). Devoted grandfather to Steve and Ryan Foley and Mercedes and Richard Schabel. Additionally he is survived by his brother in law Dr. John Meyenberg and his sisters in law Helene Meyenberg and Rosemary (Michael) Pavlo and 13 nieces and 13 nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Helen Foley and his sisters Mary (Ronne) Malham and Eileen (Arthur) Carlson.

Throughout his life Steve set an example of hard work integrity kindness generosity and humility. Steve was born in Chicago attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Mundelein Seminary served in the army and graduated from Loyola University in 1948.

He married the love of his life April 26 1952 and shortly after their marriage he left his position at General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) to pursue a career in car sales at Hollingshead Oldsmobile on Chicago’s South Side. He moved from sales to management and in 1964 he became the dealer/owner of Hollingshead Oldsmobile renamed Steve Foley’s Hollingshead Oldsmobile. In 1974 he sold the Oldsmobile dealership and purchased a Cadillac dealership in Northbrook renamed Steve Foley Cadillac. In 1983 he was vetted by Rolls-Royce and found worthy of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley franchises. Through the years he purchased and sold several dealerships in Illinois Wisconsin and Florida.

At one time he also owned and operated several tire and service centers throughout the Chicago area. He served for 19 years on the board of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and was chairman of the Chicago Auto Show in 1980. He was a member of the Cadillac Advertising Association and the National Dealer Council.

He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Quigley Seminary in 1994. He was involved in and supported many charitable organizations. He and Mercedes served twice as chairpersons of the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine Awards Dinner. The dinner is the longest-running black tie gala in Chicago and continues to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical student scholarships.

Steve was a great man and a gentleman who will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation Friday April 6 2018 from 9 am to 11 am at Wenban Funeral Home 320 Vine Ave.

Lake Forest followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Mary 175 E. Illinois Rd. Lake Forest. Interment private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Catholic Charities 721 N. LaSalle Chicago IL. 60654 or Mundelein Seminary – University of St. Mary of the Lake 1000 E. Maple Avenue Mundelein IL. 60060.

Info: Wenban Funeral Home (847)234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com