Obituary of Rev. Dr. Douglas G. Foley

Rev. Dr. Douglas Gordon Foley August 17, 1942 - July 11, 2009 A memorial service will be held at Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, Ct., on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations might be made to the non-profit organization that Doug and his wife founded: Trumpeteers Christian Ministries, 217 Babbitt Hill Road, Pomfret Center, Ct. 06259. "Doug", which is the name, by which everyone knew him, was born in Providence, R.I. and raised in Putnam, Ct., the son of the late Thomas and Eleanor (Johnson) Foley of Cottage Street. His brother, Gary, predeceased him, and he leaves his brother, Kevin, and Kevin's wife, June, and six nephews and nieces. Doug leaves his wife of forty-four years, Rev. Dr. Barbara Foley, their daughter, Dawn Celeste and her husband, Albert Palmer, and two grandchildren, Kern and Samuel, and their daughter, Kimberly Joy, and her husband, Kim Gagne, and four grandchildren: David, Arimae, Abigail, and Breanna. Doctor Foley attended Putnam High School, Ellis H. Technical School, Wentworth Institute, and Lowell College. From there, he began a short career as an electrical draftsman with James S. Minges & Associates in Farmington, Connecticut. After the sudden onset of total blindness, from which he was miraculously delivered, "Doug" entered the ministry to both thank and serve God. He continued his education while doing the work of evangelism. He completed courses through Moody Bible Institute and Pinecrest Bible Training Center. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College and, through Carolina Christian University, went on for his Master's Degree and completed the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1986. He became a member of the United Association of Christian Counselors and was ordained in 1992 by the International Ministerial Fellowship of Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Doug" and his wife, Barbara, co-founded Trumpeteers Christian Ministries in 1970 for the purpose of trumpeting the Good News that "Jesus is coming soon. Get ready." The couple traveled the East Coast and ministered in many local churches and at Full Gospel Businessmen's meetings. They held weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings at their home in Southington, Ct. In the early beginnings of Christian television, Doug was a guest on several programs in Hartford, Virginia, and Atlanta, Ga., such as the 700 Club. He, also, produced weekly radio broadcasts for several years in the early '70's that covered Southern New England. Doug's story was published and distributed throughout America by Whitaker House. How Great I Was! was about overcoming pride and coming to the knowledge of the fullness of Jesus Christ. After about ten years of evangelistic work, in 1977 Doug and Barbara purchased a motel in Pomfret, Ct. where they began a retreat ministry, sponsoring conferences and teaching seminars. This endeavor evolved into a counseling and inner-healing ministry that provided individual, in-depth ministry to adults, many of whom were victims of early childhood sexual abuse. People came from many States to receive ministry. In the last years of his life, Doug was a resident at Matulaitis Nursing Home where he introduced the facility to Bill Gaither's Southern Gospel Music, which became a weekly activity bringing joy into the lives of the residents. During the week prior to his death Doug developed complications that brought him to Day Kimball Hospital, where he died peacefully. Doug shall be greatly missed for the sweet and kind nature that he expressed while amongst us. The family is deeply appreciative of the many prayers and expressions of love they have received. Smith and Walker Funeral Home is directing arrangements. To share a memory with his family, "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com