WORCESTER, Mass. – Known as a pioneer for growth and prosperity, the city of Worcester recognized the legacy of the late state Senator Daniel Foley in front of St. Stephen's Church Friday with an unveiling of an honorary street sign.

Foley became the first person from central Massachusetts to hold the position of Senate majority leader in 1979.

He grew up on Grafton Hill, and had deep ties to St. Stephen's, where he was a lifelong parishioner and a graduate of St. Stephen's High School. 

It was a proud moment for Foley's four children.

"What I think is wonderful – I always say this to my brothers – I'm hoping that 25 years from now, some little child will have a school project of things in Worcester, and they'll look at that sign and say, 'who the heck was Senator Dan Foley?' And they'll do research, and they'll find out what a good man he was," daughter Kathleen Foley said. 

As a senator serving 16 years on Beacon Hill, Foley helped secure a more than $10 million state grant for the Worcester Centrum, which is now the DCU Center. 

He also helped lead efforts to bring UMass Medical School and the Bio-Medical Park to Worcester.

His family said his life was one of service from his time in the military to the city council and the legislature.

"His proudest moment on the Worcester Council, he said, was establishing the hot food program for the elderly," Kathleen Foley said. "The Meals on Wheels for the Elderly. So behind the buildings, he really was just the most caring person. That to me is his legacy."

"Created Worcester County Housing Corps, boosted state aid to Worcester in the wake of Prop 2.5," said Worcester City Manager Eric Batista. "Guaranteed health coverage for individuals with alcoholism, newborn babies, nursing home residents' protection law. Public retirees' pension. I mean, geez, does this guy ever take a break?"

Foley served in the U.S. Navy Corps in North Africa during World War II.

To the many lives he's touched, especially his family, his work in the community will never be forgotten.

"The best father," Kathleen Foley said. "He gave us a great love of public service, and we'll always look at politicians and politics as a very noble profession because he was such a noble man."