Skaneateles — On a quiet Thursday morning, a work site at 1725 Coon Hill Road turned tragic when 27-year-old Hunter Michael Foley was struck in the head by an excavator and later died at a Syracuse hospital. Foley, a Watertown resident, was rushed to Upstate University Hospital around 10:36 a.m. after the accident but couldn’t be saved.
People nearby heard the sirens long before any official word was released. Foley was conscious enough to be loaded into an ambulance, but the injury was so severe that doctors were unable to reverse the damage. The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the incident is still under investigation, and so far hasn’t shared details about how the accident happened or who Foley was working for at the time.
Foley grew up with roots in Jefferson County. Born August 26, 1998, in Carthage, New York, he was known early on for his love of sports. He played hockey and lacrosse at General Brown High School, graduating in 2016, and continued his passion for lacrosse at Jefferson Community College while earning a criminal justice degree in 2018.
Those closest to him say he wasn’t just an athlete — he was a community fixture. After college he worked a series of jobs in the Watertown area and recently had begun working at Heller’s Gas, a propane company based in Jefferson County. Friends remember him as hardworking and loyal, someone who brought energy to whatever he took on.
Off the clock, Foley’s life was full of the things he loved. He could be found on the golf course, on snowy slopes snowboarding, or four-wheeling through the Tug Hill Region with friends. His obituary says he played hockey well into adulthood, not just as a player but often as a referee at local games, where his easy smile and sense of fairness made him a favorite.
Family was everything to Foley. He was described as fiercely loyal and generous with those he cared about, the kind of person who treated every day like a chance for a new adventure. At age 12, he survived open-heart surgery to repair a congenital defect, and that resilience defined how many people saw him throughout his life.
Calling hours and a funeral service were scheduled Saturday, January 31, at Hart & Bruce Funeral Home in Watertown, where friends and family were invited to celebrate his life. Attendees were encouraged to wear casual gear he’d loved — jeans, flannels, boots — as a tribute to his laid-back spirit and big heart.
Foley’s passing has sent ripples through the community, a stark reminder of how quickly life can change. In the days after his death, stories poured in of his laughter, his kindness, and the way he made every moment count.
