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Gilroy’s ‘Mr. Garlic’ dies after long battle with Alzheimer’s
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Morgan Hill Times | Morgan Hill, San Martin, CA
Gerald Foisy—largely known to Gilroy community members and garlic aficionados as Mr. Garlic—died on Jan. 7 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
For 29 years, Foisy volunteered as Mr. Garlic, the happy, healthy ambassador of the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival who dressed in costume in homage to the herb during the three-day event.
Former Garlic Festival Foundation Director Brian Bowe once said of Foisy, “Gerry, in his beloved role as Mr. Garlic, has become a Garlic Festival icon…He is like our Santa Claus.”In 2016, Foisy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and hung up his garlic costume.
Foisy enthusiastically first accepted his role as Mr. Garlic in 1987, when Jeanne’s employer, Gilroy Foods, created the first costume for the festival ambassador.
A sponsor of the Garlic Festival, Gilroy Foods management only needed someone to wear the costume, and Jeanne quickly volunteered her husband for the ambassadorship.