Sean Matthew Foley passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on saturday, august 10, after a courageous three-year battle with multiple myeloma. He embraced every treatment and trial, determined to spend more precious moments with his loved ones.

Born on January 23, 1958, in Sharon, Connecticut, Sean was the youngest son of David and Rosalia Foley. He spent his early years in Poughkeepsie, New York, before the family relocated to Westwood, California, where his father pursued his doctorate at UCLA.

This move to sunny California would have a profound impact on the rest of Sean’s life. It ignited lifelong passions of surfing and skiing, and as a natural athlete, he discovered and excelled at water polo. His All-American status earned him a spot as goalie at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he studied Environmental Studies.

After college, Sean began work as a commercial real estate broker in Northern California. Later, he transitioned to residential real estate on the mid-peninsula. Sean found great satisfaction in helping friends find their homes and forging lasting connections with new clients. In recent years, he had the pleasure of finding homes for his children and many of their friends.

Sean's commitment to fostering meaningful relationships extended beyond real estate. He founded an international water polo club, organizing former teammates to compete in tournaments for over four decades. Sean was a true ambassador for the sport, positively impacting countless lives. In 2017, he played his last competitive game in Budapest, blocking a game-winning penalty shot to secure their seventh world championship.

It was at college in Santa Barbara that Sean met and married the love of his life, Susan Sullivan. Sean and Susan spent most of their forty-four years at their Woodside home, affectionately called "Camp Foley," designed for maximizing fun with loved ones. Sean’s greatest joy was his family. He loved them deeply and cherished his time with them. Together, they bodysurfed Hawaiian beach breaks, skied the slopes of Heavenly Mountain, and skurfed behind his boat in Lake Tahoe. Over the last six years, he had become the favorite “Papa Seano” to his six grandchildren. He coached his children’s teams and looked forward to sharing his favorite pastimes with his grandchildren as well.

Sean will be remembered as a uniquely kind spirit. He combined eternal positivity with a light sense of humor, making everyone around him feel at ease. His generosity, willingness to help others, and quick smile made him friends everywhere he went.

Sean is survived by Susan, his beloved wife and best friend of 44 years. He is also survived by his three children: Thomas Foley (Masha), Jessica Bonner (Michael), and Jack Foley (Lindsay); and his six grandchildren: Sasha, Mila and Alina Foley; Jack and James Bonner; and Eleanor Foley; and his brother Geoff Foley (Lisa) and mother Rosalia Kalpakoff. He will be deeply missed by the Sullivan clan as a beloved brother-in-law, son-in-law and uncle.

Though Sean left us too soon, his 66 years were filled with purpose and love. He was an extraordinary husband and father, and a friend to many. His legacy, like ripples in a pond, will continue to expand, a testament to a man deeply loved and a life truly well-lived.

He will be dearly missed, but his trademark smile will live forever in our hearts.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/sean-foley/obituary/

Copy