Fordham Preparatory School - Ramview | Page 2

Congratulations on your retirement . I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my time learning from you . I believe it was junior year Greek . While I am embarrassingly fuzzy on the material , I am clear in my memory of how engaging and joyful you were as a teacher . I am certain I am just one of many , but I hope you enjoy your retirement knowing you were able to positively impact the students of Fordham Prep . Sincerely , Ben Andreycak ’ 12

AVE ATQUE VALE MR . FOLEY !

We met in 1975 , your first year as the Dean of Students , and if you weren ’ t catching me running in the hallways and dropping my allergy syringes , you were helping me with Greek verb forms . I remember being amazed that you always knew the answers . In 1993 , I was sitting in a room , I can ’ t remember which , interviewing for a position in the Classics Department . You said I would be teaching Latin 1 and a section of Greek 4 Honors . You sat back and watched my reaction . I guess I showed the correct mixture of fear and excitement because you hired me . Working with you for 28 years has been an honor and a privilege , a privilege to laugh with you , to agree and disagree with you , to grieve with you , to reminisce with you , to sit quietly with you . I know you will find it difficult to recall a time when we sat quietly together and were not laughing because we have laughed a lot over the last 28 years . Christopher Lauber ’ 79 Prep Faculty
I believe that it says something very special about a school when an alumnus returns to teach there . I too am a member of the Fordham Prep Class of 1963 . I am honored to be in the same class as you . I know that there will be many wonderful things said about you , but , please be aware of this . When the history of Fordham Prep is written , my classmate , Jack Foley , will be the ink with which it is written . I am so proud to be able to call you my classmate and friend . Gerard Gruenfelder ’ 63
Jack , Fordham Prep was a very special part of my life , my experience there helped me become who I am today . When I think of the Prep , you were one of the people whom I respect so much because you embody what the Prep stands for . Thank you for everything you have done , and I wish you the best of luck as you go forward in your transition . Joe Moglia ’ 67
You were my mentor and Latin 1 teacher my freshman year in 1981 . I remember struggling with managing my time . Instead of chastising me for it , you met with me each morning for the entire semester and reviewed my homework / study plan for that day and evening . Obviously , in order to have a successful plan in the morning I needed to prepare said plan the night before . As a result , you taught me accountability and organization ; skills that I used for the rest of my life . At the time , the morning meeting was a chore for me but now I am grateful that you cared enough to teach me these skills . Congratulations , Mr . Foley , on your retirement !! Valeas quam optime . Joseph Fallacaro ’ 84
Outstanding teacher . Just one story . When I showed up at the Prep , you were going to be my Greek 1 teacher and you were also the Assistant Headmaster then . At the time , a former grammar school teacher of mine ( who shall remain nameless ) was on the faculty . When I showed up to freshman football practice in August , you and that old teacher were in the Commons . My former teacher called my 14-year-old self over and introduced me to you . Unfortunately , he also mentioned what a problem child I had been in grade school and that I needed to shape up at FP . I remember you saying something to me like , “ Well , I guess we ’ ll see .” You never mentioned the incident again . I showed up to Greek 1 and you were always fair and patient with me . You made it easy for a kid to leave some former issues behind and turn the page . That was 37 years ago , and I have never , ever forgotten that lesson in justice and generosity . Strange how such seemingly little things mean so much . But the great teachers know that . Thank you , Mr . Foley . David Fitzgerald ’ 87
Congratulations , Mr . Foley . Along with so many other things , your unparalleled scorekeeping prowess and calming presence helped propel us on a great run to the city championship game in 1987 . Thank you so much for being an influential part of my life . To this day whenever I introduce myself to someone , I think of how it was you who taught me : your name is the only thing you are born into this world with . It should be pronounced correctly . Good luck on your next chapter . You certainly have earned it . Lou Osso ‘ 88
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