Leo Foy, a crossing guard for the Hamilton Township School District, has been named one of New Jersey School Boards Association’s Unsung Superheroes in Education for 2025, the school district has announced.
Foy won in the crossing guard category. He will be honored along with other recipients on Oct. 21 at the Atlantic City Convention Center during NJBA’s annual Workshop Week.
While Foy has worked as a district crossing guard for 20 years, for the last 15 years, he has been at the corner of Stamford Road and Delotto Drive across the street from Morgan Elementary School. Morgan students call him Mr. Leo as they greet him each morning. And, at the age of 92, he is likely one of the oldest — if not the oldest — crossing guards in the state of New Jersey.
Some days, he rides his electric bicycle to school. Other days, he might arrive in his 20-year-old Honda Element. Each day, he shares a smile and warm greetings as he helps students and adults navigate safely to school. By his count, the crossing guard gig is the fourth job he has had during his lifetime.
Foy was one of 17 children. His first job was in a coal mine in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He eventually moved to Hamilton—with 7 siblings in tow—to work for U.S. Steel in Morrisville, Pennsylvania.
After 35 years in steel, he became a director of facilities for McCorristin School. Not wanting to sit around idly after the school job ended, he became a crossing guard. During the summer, when schools are closed, Mr. Leo takes care of the gardens at the Sayen House.
Foy acknowledges that he has weathered many ups and downs over the course of 92 years. He lost a daughter to cancer in June. Shortly thereafter, his grandson, Trenton police officer Timothy Long, died in a car accident.
He lost his wife in 2003 having been married for 52 years. And yet, Foy maintains that some of his “hardest times were the best times of my life.”
He maintains that not watching television and keeping busy is a key to longevity. He works out on equipment in his basement.
“Mr. Leo is the ultimate example of an unsung hero. He diligently works every school day to make sure our students and families safely cross the street. He does this day after day, week after week, year after year. He is a key member of the Morgan School community. We thank him for his service and for being our Unsung Hero,” said Scott Rocco, superintendent.
Michael Giambelluca, the Morgan principal, calls Foy an integral part of the Morgan School community.
“He always has a positive word for students and parents first thing in the morning and at the end of the day,” Giambelluca said. “Should he need to take a day off, he is missed. Students will stop me to ask: Where is Mr. Leo?”
Students love to run into Mr. Leo in town at ShopRite. During the summer, they seek him out in Sayen Gardens.
“For the students,” Giambelluca noted, “he is more than a crossing guard; he’s a trusted adult and friend.”
