ALTAMONT — John W. Foley, who had a lifelong quest for speed, died on Friday, March 17, 2017, with his family by his side. “He was a legend and icon of Altamont for 60 years, fixing cars making them run better or faster,” his family wrote in a tribute. He was 79.

Born in his Altamont home, Mr. Foley quit school on his 16th birthday and worked for two years at Westfall Garage before opening his own garage at his parents’ home. His parents, Joseph and Gertrude Foley, put their home up as collateral and, with help from his many friends, John Foley’s Garage was born.

“Most people thought it wouldn’t make it but due to word of mouth and his mechanical skills the business grew,” his family wrote. “Customers came from all over the Albany area. He worked non-stop for 60 years until his son, Sean, took over the business when John was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease.

“John had a quest for speed all his life,” his family wrote. After many, many races on the roads in the area, he went into drag racing with his great friend Ron Abbott.

“There may never have been a Foley’s Garage if he had beat Don Garlits in the early ’60s,” his family wrote. “The speed of cars wasn’t enough for John; he went on to fix and race speedboats. Even though John never mastered the art of swimming, he would hang over engines in the water to make them go faster. After that phase, John got into flying his own planes.

“His employees were his friends and these great guys worked tirelessly with him. In many cases, he used the barter system to show his customers his appreciation.

“He’ll miss his vacation this year with his good buddy Sal Branciforte and his wife, Lucy, while he’s on his journey to eternal life.”

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John W. Foley is survived by his loving wife, Diane Marie (née Frank) Foley; his children, Lisa Marie Foley and Sean Michael Foley; his grandson, Tyler Maxwell; his brother-in-law Joe Paraso and his wife, Patti, and his brother-in-law Kevin Daigle and his wife, Marilyn; as well as four nieces and nine great nieces and great nephews.

Traci Bidwell and her son, Adam, and Mr. Foley’s nurse, Alex Childs, were “his guardian angels in keeping him safe and comfortable in his home while fighting the debilitating Alzheimer’s disease,” his family wrote.

His parents, Joseph and Gertrude (née Wormer) Foley, died before him as did his brother, Walter Foley, and his sister, Irene Foley.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Church at 25 Mountainview St. in Voorheesville; interment to follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Guilderland. Arrangements are by Fredendall Funeral Home of Altamont. A celebration of his life will follow the interment at Smith’s Tavern at 112 Maple Ave. in Voorheesville.