Jerrold S. Foley

Jerrold Stokes Foley Sr., 86, of Stow died January. 1. 2017.

He was an electrical engineer graduate from Purdue University, turned rocket scientist, who morphed into a computer hardware engineer. He earned five patents along the way. He was a member of Mensa and a college professor. He was also a high school dropout. How about that?

A voracious reader of books, magazines and Ogden Nash poetry, he read the New Yorker magazine, and "Proceedings of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers" magazine, with equal interest. He read "Catcher in the Rye," every decade of his life, "Because I want to see how I feel about it as I get older."

He talked to anyone about anything, and loved to tell stories and jokes. A world traveler whose favorite place on the planet was Lake Geneva, Switzerland - his eldest child swears it was actually Santa Barbara, Calif. - he also loved the outdoors, whether it was a fresh-cut lawn, or forest trails.

He sent his kids to Catholic schools even though he was raised Protestant. One of his unrealized life goals was to start his own religion, just for the tax break. His children called him Saint Jerome.

He was an epic napper, and lover of both opera and Joan Baez. He loved coffee, bourbon and beer, not necessarily in that order. He loved a rare steak, fresh fish with the head on and eyes glaring, and pungent Bermuda onions.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Patricia Foley. He is survived by his children, Kathryn Prochnow, Elizabeth Sincere, J.S. Foley Jr. and Michael Foley. Also by five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Private family services have been held.