Adrian ‘Bud’ Foley Jr., Prominent Attorney And Friend Of New Community

AdrianFoley
Adrian M. “Bud” Foley Jr. displayed a commitment to helping improve the lives of inner city residents as an NCC foundation member.

Adrian M. “Bud” Foley Jr., a former member of the New Community Foundation and one of New Jersey’s most prominent, powerful and highly-regarded attorneys, passed away on Feb. 9, three weeks after his 93rd birthday.

“He was one of the real ‘class’ human beings. He was a good friend of mine and of New Community,” said Monsignor William J. Linder, founder and board chairman of New Community Corporation. Foley was named by Monsignor Linder as one of his “50 People I Admire” in 2013.

Under Gov. Richard J. Hughes, Mr. Foley was appointed, in 1966, to preside as president of the New Jersey Constitutional Convention.

Without Mr. Foley, Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack may have never been constructed. It was Gov. William Cahill who appointed Mr. Foley the first treasurer and chief financial officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, a position that saw him working with chairman Sonny Werblin to devise a bond issue that generated the funds for the Giants Stadium project. Mr. Foley was able to help bring the project to fruition, despite the fierce political opposition from New York officials seeking to keep the Giants from moving across the Hudson.

“He was a remarkable human being. We need people like him desperately now,” Monsignor added, noting Foley had the ability to work with all kinds of people. He also had a deep interest as an NCC foundation member in helping inner city residents improve the quality of their lives.

Mr. Foley was a graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, a school he loved and vigorously supported, and was the first recipient of the St. Benedict’s Prep Medal. He was also elected  to the St. Benedict’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to graduate cum laude from Seton Hall University. He was a decorated veteran of World War II, serving as a B-24 navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  Following the war, Mr. Foley earned a law degree from Columbia University.

His legal career spanned six decades and he held many influential and prestigious positions throughout his life, including being elected the youngest president of the American Bar Association and youngest elected surrogate in the state of New Jersey. He was also a partner in the Connell Foley law firm for 56 years.

Mr. Foley also held many other positions and appointments, besides being bestowed an abundance of honors recognizing his professional and social service. He is being remembered as ‘a thoughtful leader who represented everything that was good in public life.’

Leave a Reply