Martin Macka Foley

Los Angeles Martin Macka A. Foley, Jr., of Los Angeles, formerly of Portland, passed away unexpectedly on August 3, 2015. Macka was born in Portland on January 2, 1951 to the late Martin and Dorothy Dixie (Lee) Foley. He grew up in the West End, having attended St. Dominics School and graduating from Portland High School Class of 1969 where he was proud to have been voted most witty by his classmates. Macka was a well-known athlete and Captain of the basketball team. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps following high school; Macka served two tours in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in the line of duty. Following his honorable discharge, Macka was a heavyweight boxer from 1969-1979 having had 54 professional fights. He fought bouts all over the world, and on every continent except Antarctica. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of boxing and could name every champion in every division since they started recording it in this country. He moved to California in 1986 where he became a boxing trainer. Macka was proud of those he trained, especially his championship fighters, James Toney, Manny Pacquiao, and Brian Viloria. He also trained several actors and actresses in California, earning the recognition of being one of the best trainers in the business. For the last 10 years, Macka trained James Franco who was like a son to him. Franco recently posted on Facebook, I just heard that Macka Foley passed away. He was a boxing trainer and a saint of the sweet science. I spent years with him. He showed me that anything in life: boxing, acting or just living, is all about breathing and being relaxed in yourself. Ill never forget him. In addition to his training career, he appeared in over 500 television shows, several movies and many commercials. Macka was very spiritual man who considered daily meditation a very important aspect of his life. He was known for being a comical, spontaneous, and quick witted man. Macka will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his daughter, Caroline Foley Walsh of Little Silver, NJ; two brothers, Joe Foley and wife Mary of Portland, John Foley and wife Eleanor South Portland; former wife, Liz Ryan of Nebraska; grandson, Charles Ryan Walsh; close friends, Bobby and Jean Russo of Portland; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-8PM at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Thursday at 11AM at Old Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Martins memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sam Simon Foundation, 30765 Pacific Coast Hwy #113 Malibu, CA 90265 or to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 104 Washington, DC 20037.