Ambassador and a gentleman

Though his political career spanned almost five decades, Tom Foglietta never let the power go to his head.

By most accounts, he was a down-to-earth individual who was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor.

While his extensive career soared him to new heights, those who knew Foglietta best said his involvement with the neighborhood kept him grounded. He may have picked up a few fancy titles during his career but, to many, his most cherished role was servant to the community.

That community lost one of its biggest supporters Saturday when Mr. Foglietta, a native of the 700 block of Clymer Street, died just 20 days shy of his 76th birthday.

The former Councilman, Congressman and Ambassador was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital almost two weeks earlier after complaining of breathing problems. He died at the hospital.

The news came as a shock to local members of Foglietta’s family, many of whom have remained close with their relative even throughout his extensive international pilgrimages.

"Tom was a second father, a mentor, a best friend and a confidant," said nephew Michael Foglietta. "I was extremely close to him personally and professionally."

Michael, who helped organize Foglietta’s political campaigns, said he was always amazed at the stark differences between his uncle and other members of public office.

"Tom, unlike many elected officials, didn’t do things with a lot of fanfare," he said. "He wasn’t into power grabbing or self-enrichment. His style was unique and admirable. Everyone admired the way he did things."

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, who filled Foglietta’s Congressional seat seven years ago, said in a prepared statement, "He was always a gentleman, and he possessed a kind of old-world charm. He served his constituents faithfully during his 40 years in public service."

Thomas Michael Foglietta lived only a stone’s throw from his grandparents and other relatives on Clymer Street while growing up the youngest of five children. He graduated from Southeast Catholic High (later St. John Neumann) and Saint Joseph’s University, and also earned a law degree at Temple.

At age 26, he made a name for himself by becoming the youngest member ever elected to City Council, where his father, Michael Foglietta, also had served.

Although then-Republican Foglietta had aspirations of becoming the city’s first Italian-American mayor, Frank L. Rizzo won that distinction in 1971. The man who would be Congressman ran against the incumbent four years later to no avail.

In 1980, Foglietta ran successfully as an independent for the First District House of Representatives seat, which now covers portions of North Philadelphia east of Broad Street, most of South Philadelphia and parts of Delaware County. He later became a Democrat.

In a 1997 interview with the Review, Gov. Ed Rendell credited the Congressman with bringing millions of dollars in federal funds to the city through his persistence.

"The reason he has been so effective in getting us money from Washington is that they finally give in just to get rid of him," Rendell joked. "Tom is truly dedicated to this city, and his love for the city is probably unequaled by any Philadelphian."

He had other allegiances as well. In 1985, Foglietta was part of a small American delegation that was responsible for accompanying South Korean dissident Kim Dae Jung on his flight home. Jung, who years later would receive Philadelphia’s Liberty Medal, was battered by Korean cops in Seoul, and the Congressman was roughed up in the process.

Then in 1993, Foglietta focused his attention to the plight of poverty-stricken Haiti and helped raise funds for orphanages in the country. He also was instrumental in returning Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power — then seen as a positive move and a step toward democracy.

But in these parts, Foglietta was most associated with his efforts to save the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and the thousands of local jobs that went with it — and when those efforts failed, for making it a smooth, if highly unwelcome, transition in late 1996.

A year later, his lifelong dream came true when President Clinton appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Italy.

But in case anyone thought it was a cushy job — fueled by reports of his grand villa in Rome complete with servants — Foglietta was apparently in the right place at the wrong time. In 1998, shortly after he assumed the post, a low-flying U.S. Marine aircraft killed 20 skiers in Northern Italy — an unfortunate accident that embittered the whole nation against the United States.

The Ambassador smoothed things over when he took responsibility on America’s behalf and, in a reverent act, knelt down and prayed for the victims at the site of the crash.

Yet, Foglietta never understood why certain politicians should be commended for simply "doing their job," said nephew Michael.

His uncle frequently told him the only reasons to get into politics are "service, service and service."

While he was serving in Italy for three years, family and friends said Foglietta never forgot about them. Some were lucky enough to pay him a visit in Rome.

"I visited him in 1999," said Francesca DiRenzo-Kauffman, Foglietta’s cousin. "While I was traveling with him, you could tell the Italian people were extremely dedicated to him."

After President Bush was elected four years ago, Foglietta lost his post, but continued to work and travel the globe as a lawyer and an international lobbyist. Just this year he was named Honorary U.S. Consul to South Korea, serving as an authorized diplomatic representative of the South Korean community to the Eastern United States and regional Korean-American population.

While Foglietta took on high-profile roles, his family said he never forgot about the locals. Under his direction, Christmas parties benefiting underprivileged children were held across the area, noted another cousin, Madeline Del Vecchia.

Anthony Del Vecchia, known as "Cousin Del" by the politician, said he admired his esteemed relative’s qualities.

"He was a wonderful guy," said the resident of the 700 block of Fitzwater Street. "You’d talk to him for 10 minutes and you’d love him."

Del Vecchia, who referred to Foglietta as his "brother," said he was with the former ambassador on Oct. 31, the day he was admitted to the hospital.

The two men were watching a football game that Sunday when Del Vecchia noticed that his cousin "could not get comfortable."

With a nurse by his side, Foglietta headed to the hospital.

"He told me, ‘Don’t worry about it. You watch the football game. We’ll be right back,’" said Del Vecchia.

But Foglietta — who had gotten back on his feet and back to Italy shortly after undergoing dual hip replacement at Jefferson five years ago — never left the hospital this time, succumbing to apparent lung complications 13 days later. He had undergone elective surgery to relieve arthritis in his shoulder just before this hospitalization and reportedly had emerged in good form, making his death all the more unexpected.

Members of the community expressed deep sorrow over the passing of a leader who was such a magnanimous presence.

"He was the best man that ever lived," said Dominic Lammendola, of the 700 block of Fulton Street.

Richard Santore, owner of The Saloon Restaurant, 750 S. Seventh St., recalled how the former Congressman made his first day of business back in 1967 a special one.

"He came in, sent us flowers, bought everyone drinks at the bar and wished us luck," recounted Santore, 68.

The restaurant owner said he is proud of Foglietta’s local legacy.

"He turned out to be a person that the whole neighborhood looked up to and aspired to be. His whole political career, he never did anything to shame South Philly or the city."

Paying final respects

A Mass of Christian burial for Thomas M. Foglietta will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Malachy Church, 1429 N. 11th St.

A viewing will be held at Monti-Rago Funeral Home, 2533 S. Broad St., tomorrow starting at 7 p.m.

Another viewing will be held at St. Malachy’s Rectory, next to the church, on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

All services are open to the public.