Superintendent Tim Foley had gone on leave for prostate surgery
to remove cancer cells. He talks with the Free Lance about his new
outlook and says he’s uncertain how long he might keep working
before retirement.
HOLLISTER
County Superintendent Tim Foley is at full health and he’s enjoying his job “more than ever” after recovering from prostate surgery late last year to remove cancer cells.
Foley, 60, went on a leave of absence in mid-October and returned to work in early December at the San Benito County Office of Education. Doctors had discovered “small but aggressive” cancer cells, and Foley chose surgery over other treatment options.
Foley in a recent interview with the Free Lance said he’s working without any restrictions and feels “blessed” to live in an area that has “such great medical resources.”
He commended others at the office of education for handling duties in his absence.
“I’m very proud of the way that the team here was able to go through business as usual,” Foley said. “I was kept informed through e-mail and all at home.”
He noted that the group at the office has been together for a long time and people there have a shared vision, allowing for business to run smoothly while he was gone.
While inching closer to retirement age, Foley said the experience as a whole was a “wake-up call.”
“It certainly makes you thankful for every day,” he said. “I’m enjoying my job more than ever.”
He said he’s undecided on when he might retire – or if he’ll run again when he’s up for reelection in three years.
“That’s a long time (to decide),” he said. “I don’t know. Things are certainly going well. This is a job that gives great satisfaction. I’m involved with some very exciting things up and down the state.”
For an expanded version of this story, see Friday’s edition of the Free Lance.
