Foley was born in Wabasha, Minnesota and graduated from St. Felix High School in 1935. After he received his B.A. degree from St. Thomas College of St. Paul, Minnesota in 1940, he joined the United States Army following the outbreak of World War II, serving from 1941 to 1946. He received his LL.B. degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1947, and received his L.L.M. degree from Catholic University Law School in 1950

After school, Foley became a lawyer in private practice. He was also a professor, and was elected judge of the Orphan’s (Probate) Court of Montgomery County, Maryland, serving from 1954 to 1958. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for election to Congress in 1956, but was successfully elected as a Democrat to Congress two years later, serving on term from January 3, 1959 to January 3, 1961. He tried two further times for election in 1960 and 1962, but was unsuccessful both times. He died from a heart attack in Kensington, Maryland.