Thomas Andrew Foley

Thomas Andrew Foley, 63, of Athens, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Tom was born in Fairfax, Virginia, on October 24, 1962, to John and Eleanor Foley. He grew up in Athens, Georgia, attended St. Joseph Catholic Parish Church and School, and graduated from Athens Academy in 1981. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology and lived and worked in Washington, DC, before returning to Athens.

In 2000, he moved to Kaunas, Lithuania, to work as a technical writer for an IT company. There he met and married the love of his life, Rita, on July 29, 2005. From 2008-2017, he owned a candle shop in Lithuania and was a candle maker. He liked to say he went from a “Kindle to a candle.” Tom and Rita welcomed into the world their son, Matas, on August 2, 2013. 

Tom loved European culture, traditions, and food. He also loved the fact that he could walk rather than drive on his European adventures. In the fall of 2017, he and Rita made the decision to leave their home in Lithuania and return to Athens to be with his mother, Ellie, when she retired.

Upon returning to Athens, Tom resumed his work in the IT field. He enjoyed working at Ladle and getting to collaborate with his colleagues. On the home front, Tom and Rita enrolled Matas in St. Joseph Catholic Parish Church and School. They later enrolled Matas in Athens Academy, where Matas is following in his father’s footsteps. 

Tom will always be remembered for his love of NASCAR, the Braves, and spontaneous road trips with Rita and Matas. His family was always his priority: he lived to serve and protect them, and his “little man” Matas was his whole world. He was proud of everything Matas did. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eleanor. He is survived by his wife, Rita, his son, Matas, and his brother, Pat.

A visitation will be held at the Catholic Center at The University of Georgia on Lumpkin Street from 10:00 to 11:00 on Saturday, June 6. A funeral Mass will be held at the Catholic Center beginning at 11:00, with the burial service to follow at the Pittman Cemetery off Pittman-Matthews Road in Madison County. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Catholic Center at UGA, St. Joseph Catholic Parish School in Athens, or Athens Academy.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements.