Tom Foley
Thomas J. Foley was born and raised in California. He worked on the A-7 aircraft as a jet engine mechanic and troubleshooter for four years in the Navy. He earned his airframe and powerplant license in two years, allowing him to work on private and commercial aircraft.
From 1977 to 2011, Tom worked for the General Electric Aviation Division. He traveled extensively overseas from 1979 to 1986, working in Europe, Asia, Australia, Taiwan, and Africa, supporting various airlines as a GE field service representative. From 1987 through 2003,he worked in engineering at the GE Ontario engine overhaul facility. When the plant closed,he transferred to the GE supervisor position at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad maintenance department in Barstow, California, from where he retired in 2011.
Tom is an avid motorcycle enthusiast and a land-speed motorcycle racer. He holds five Southern California Timing Association land speed records and two American Motorcycle Association records in several engine classes with his vintage Harley Davidson. He currently lives with his wife Susan in Phelan, California, with their six dogs.
From 1977 to 2011, Tom worked for the General Electric Aviation Division. He traveled extensively overseas from 1979 to 1986, working in Europe, Asia, Australia, Taiwan, and Africa, supporting various airlines as a GE field service representative. From 1987 through 2003,he worked in engineering at the GE Ontario engine overhaul facility. When the plant closed,he transferred to the GE supervisor position at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad maintenance department in Barstow, California, from where he retired in 2011.
Tom is an avid motorcycle enthusiast and a land-speed motorcycle racer. He holds five Southern California Timing Association land speed records and two American Motorcycle Association records in several engine classes with his vintage Harley Davidson. He currently lives with his wife Susan in Phelan, California, with their six dogs.
published Book
chasing the elusive dream
|
What do you want to be when you grow up? I didn’t have a clue.
Looking back, every time I thought I had a plan, everything changed. Chemistry was my kryptonite in my attempt to be a veterinarian. Losing my 2-S deferment generated a draft notice, and I elected to enlist in the Navy. My plan to join the forestry was foiled when the class I needed had a two-year waiting period. (Geez.) I spent those two years earning my airframe and powerplant license, and you guessed it, the airlines weren’t hiring. Dad told me GE was hiring jet engine mechanics. At last, my career was taking off, but they told me I couldn’t travel overseas for ten years . . . so I went looking for a better paying job at Continental Airlines. As I was settling into living at the beach, riding with my hooligan buddies on Harleys, out of the blue, I received a call, “Do you still want to go overseas?” Well, you know what I said! Why don’t you join me on an extraordinary adventure? Follow along as I troubleshoot the Navy A7s. Ride along with long-haired bearded Harley riders, and meet a cast of characters from every continent. Ever been to Europe, Asia, Australia, or Africa? Who would have thought my career would be intertwined with motorcycles and jet engines? To round things out, I’ll even throw in a story about land-speed racing at El Mirage and the Bonneville salt flats. The last place on earth you can build your race vehicle in your garage and compete against all comers (in your class). I’m still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. I believe it is mandatory to grow old but optional to grow up. Grab a beverage of your choice. Find a comfortable chair and join me as I chase an elusive dream. |
The Rest of the Story
|
After I published my memoir, Chasing the Elusive Dream, I was looking for a change. A critique group member, Freddi Gold, suggested I try a different genre and said, “Why don’t you try fiction, stretch your legs, and let your mind go wild,” or something along these lines. Well, it sounded like fun, an exercise in mental gymnastics, and I did just that.
I didn’t want to steer away from the difficult topics: death, PTSD, Veteran suicide, drug use, sexual assault, and murder. I wanted to explore them all. I wanted the stories to reflect our times. To be more specific, my time. I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s. They say history repeats itself, and watching the news today reminds me of the turmoil of the late 1960s with different clothes and hairstyles. I grew up listening to Paul Harvey and The Rest of the Story. His broadcasts consisted of stories presented as little-known or forgotten facts on a variety of subjects, with some key element of the story (usually the name of some well-known person) held back until the end. The broadcasts always concluded with a variation on the tagline, "And now you know...the rest of the story. I’ve elected to follow in his footsteps and add a bit of insight to the story behind the story. I think it works. The short story allows the author to explore a topic in a unique way. Hopefully, these will pull on your heartstrings or make you smile.The stories selected for this book touch on some of the current issues that are affecting our lives today. In this book the stories start with a true-life incident, a person I have encountered, or a journey I have taken, usually with a twist or two. The Vietnam stories were told to me by men I worked with, people I have met, and friends. After all the stories, you will find an author’s note; with the rest of the story, I hope you find them interesting. While working at General Electric Ontario, I met a woman whose mother was a WASP. They flew aircraft across the United States and flew bombers to England during WWII. This freed up their male counterparts to fight the Germans and Japanese. They were a brave breed of women working in a male-dominated world. I paid tribute to one such woman in The Witch. Their valor during WWII will soon be forgotten unless we keep their story alive. So, with a variety of topics and a smorgasbord of intrigue, humor, and horror, I present to you “The Rest of the Story.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I want to acknowledge the following for their help and support: My wife, Susan Andrusak Foley, my nephew John Andrusak III, Jenny Margotta, Freddi Gold, Mike Raff, and the California Writers Club, High Desert Branch. Without their help, insight, and assistance, this book would have never seen the light of day. A special thanks to Dr. Siva Arunasalam, M.D., at the High Desert Heart Institute, for keeping my heart going and allowing me to complete my second book. Okay, Doc, we’re shooting for number three—keep up the good work. |
To purchase Tom Foley's book, visit: Amazon