Slain journalist remembered Saturday

ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — James Foley was a compassionate and capable journalist who tried to see the good in people, friends said Saturday at a memorial for the New Hampshire man murdered by Islamic State group extremists. 

Hundreds of people filled Our Lady of the Rosary Church on Saturday in Rochester during a Mass to celebrate his life on what would have been his 41st birthday. Afterward, friends and family paid poignant tribute to Foley.

“There seemed to be two absolutes in Jim’s life — his faith and his family — both of which gave him an incredible foundation,” said longtime friend Jeremy Osgood. “It was a wealth of strength and courage for Jim in his time of need.”

Osgood became friends with Foley while growing up in Wolfeboro, in New Hampshire’s bucolic lakes region. Foley was a thoughtful student, a “smiling, wide-eyed boy” and good athlete who excelled in soccer.