No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Robert Foley, a lifelong Keys resident who graduated from Coral Shores High School in 2005 and a UPS driver for nearly 20 years, delivering orders to the Upper Keys community and Ocean Reef. Married in 2023, he and his wife Shelby, a dental hygienist, recently purchased a home in Plantation Key Colony and are expecting their first child in July. He is a Rotarian, soon being inducted into the Upper Keys Rotary Club.
What drew you to the Keys? My Uncle Bob (a well-respected Islamorada veterinarian) Foley moved to the Keys first. My mom followed with a visit and met my dad.
What do you enjoy most about your work? When working for UPS, I loved being in the community, seeing people everyday and feeling integrated. The local UPS drivers loved helping out in the community. Now, as a financial professional with Alliance Financial Group, I save people from destitution, in their final year. I’ve found so many people who are not set up for retirement or if they have, who have not accounted for inflation in their planning.
What led you to be in the occupation you’re in? A mentor at Ocean Reef encouraged me to join his wealth management company where I now assist people with planning for their retirement.
Weirdest experience you’ve had in the Keys? Rescuing people at sea. It was in August of 2014. My brother Matt was in town visiting and Shelby and I both got off work early so we decided to take a sunset cruise. As we were approaching the end of a channel off Windley Key, we noticed a boat doing crazy-eight motions. As we got closer, we realized no one was at the helm, then we saw two heads bobbing in the water. With caution, we matched the boat’s speed and I jumped into the craft. I was able to pull a man into the boat while Matt and Shelby pulled a woman into our boat. We called the Coast Guard who arrived in mere minutes and the man had to be airlifted out for medical care. When the Coasties arrived, it was like angels descended.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? It’s a toss-up between Aristotle and Nostradamus.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? Being a Marvel fan, it would be having Thor’s “god of thunder” power.
Favorite Food? My wife’s browned butter chocolate chip cookies.
Favorite movie? The 2002 version of “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
Favorite book? Earl Nightingale’s “The Strangest Secret.”
What are your hobbies? Freediving, Dungeons & Dragons, video games and doting on my wife.
Is there a skill/talent you want to master? Fatherhood!
What are you most proud of as you look back on your life this far? I try to be humble and just do good while not expecting anything in return.
Do you have any regrets? We all have regrets of things we did in our 20s, yet I see mistakes as gifts of awakening in which we seek to change and ask for forgiveness.
What is the biggest daily challenge you face? As much as I like to talk one-on-one with people, I find myself very nervous when talking with an audience.
