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Statements from the Memorial Service
Larry was a larger- than-life type of guy. An Irish Bostonian
with a twinkle in his eye, he recognized and embraced the absurdity of
our lives. Hence, you could always count on Larry to pull the smallest
dregs of frivolity out of the mundane.
Last year he was heading to the States for a six-week home leave. As
USAID/Jordan's Executive Officer (EXO), he was responsible for taking care
of everyone's daily lives -- houses, furniture, telephones, personnel,
transportation, etc. It is not the public side of our work, but an EXO
can make the difference between an enjoyable and a miserable Post experience.
Anyway, Larry was leaving and he needed to train someone to take his place
for the weeks of his absence. He chose Debi Mosel. She was trained quickly
and was ready to go by the time of his departure. But, because we're talking
about Larry (remember that twinkle!), he had a little surprise for Debi.
Unbeknownst to her, he had schemed with his secretary, Rania Shahin, so
that after Debi had done a particularly solid job on an EXO task, Rania
would enter Debi's office with a cassette player. Holding the player high,
she pressed the play button to hear in Larry's Bostonian brogue, "Way to
go, Deb." If Debi did an ok level of effort on another task, Rania would
enter with Larry's voice: "Better luck next time, Debi." However, if Debi
screwed up royally, she had to face Larry's screaming, "DEB, FOR THE LOVE
OF GOD!"
Virginia stood before the crowded hall and began to speak, "As you know,
Larry and I were quite different. I would want this to be a time a grieving,
a time to embrace the sadness and emptiness of his departure. But that's
not Larry. He wanted nothing to do with such sentiment. He wants us to
celebrate his life, so, here I go..."
Virginia chose to wear her Jordanian needlework jacket, a gift from
Larry, to her visit with the King and Queen of Jordan and to his Memorial
Service. She emphasized to His and Her Majesties as well as her Embassy
colleagues that she and Larry wanted to be in Amman and that she held no
ill-will toward the Jordanian people.
Virginia opened her house to the community her final evening in Amman
and many of us came to bid her and Larry farewell. Midway through the evening,
a group of Jordanian neighbors came by with dozens of candles and bunches
of flowers. They lit the candles and placed the flowers throughout the
front yard of the Foley's home, a tribute to their lost neighbor.
A friend leaned over, whispering, "You know that Larry must be chortling
over the fact that a die-hard Irish man is being serenaded by Scottish
Bagpipes."
Jim Barnhart
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 I feel privileged
to have the opportunity to bid Larry Foley farewell on behalf of all my
colleagues at USAID/Jordan.
Larry was a much respected colleague, a valued friend, a loving husband
and father, a motivator, and an inspiration to all of us here. His
calmness, vision, big heart, and sense of humor are but a few of the traits
that we will miss around our office.
His presence in our lives for the past two years has touched every one
of us. It was a pleasure and an honor to work side by side with such
a great man. The full measure of his loss cannot be expressed in words.
Larry, you will be sorely missed. So long boss; farewell friend.
Virginia, please know, always, that we are family. The bonds that we
have established - with you and Larry during the time we were together
- will not be dissolved.
Please know as well, that we recognize how much you have helped us in
our own development and in our ability to handle moments like this. Your
sharing with us, by teaching and by your example of how to handle stressful
and difficult times, will always be with us.
You and Larry were quite a pair; not only were you a charming couple,
you were great hosts and wonderful friends.
I know our paths will cross again. In the meantime, stay well and know
that we are thinking of you. May his soul rest in peace.
Fares Shadad
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 Words fail at
moments like this. However, it’s only appropriate that a few words be said
about Larry. Larry was a warm, gentle and wonderful person. He had a great
sense of humor and his mere presence was a joy to everyone around him.
He was a great boss: always positive, always cheerful, giving room for
growth.
But the most important thing I remember about Larry is that he was always
full of life, and I guess that is why it is so hard for me and for everyone
else to believe that he is no longer with us.
Larry, you were not someone who would simply pass through people’s lives
and be remembered for only a season. We loved you dearly, for you have
truly touched our lives in different ways throughout those two years, and
for that, we give you tribute today.
May your soul rest in peace.
Arwa Ghanma |
USAID-Jordan