Frederick Foley

Frederick Raymond Foley died on Sept. 25, 2012, at the age of 90. He was born on the Prairie in Manitou, Manitoba on April 16, 1922 to Lewis and Minnie Foley.

When Fred was about two, the family moved to Vancouver, B.C. As a young boy, Fred enjoyed trips to Stanley Park, playing allies, and outdoor play. During his teen years, Fred worked to save money for his University education. He worked for a dry goods store as a bicycle delivery boy, at a baggage company in Victoria, and held a summer job at Britannia Copper Mines on Howe Sound. Fred attended the University of British Columbia, where he received his Chemistry degree.

In 1945, after accepting work as a chemist, he moved with his new bride of one month, Alice, to the pulp and paper company town of Woodfibre. Fred and Alice lived in a company house overlooking Howe Sound and Britannia Mines. Life in Woodfibre (reachable by boat only) was full of friends and activities, but the isolation soon got to them. In Dec 1946, Fred was offered a job as chemist at Puget Sound Pulp and Timber Company (Georgia-Pacific) in Bellingham, where he worked for 36 years. Fred and Alice traveled throughout the world.

Other leisure activities Fred enjoyed were Saturday morning bread making, Karate, gardening, outdoor recreation, Masters track and field. Fred had a lifelong appreciation of the Arts & Sciences, foreign cultures and the natural world. Fred was a regular blood donor over the years, and firmly believed in visiting any friends who were ill. Fred died on his wife Alice’s birthday, making for a special good bye memory. It was the dreadful disease of Alzheimers that slowly whittled away at Fred. He is now at peace.

Fred is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Alice, daughters Lynn Foley and Judy Foley, and son Steve Foley (Judith Henderson), 2 nieces Marcia Foreman (Ken) and Sylvia Cardin, and 3 nephews Dennis Foley (Linda), Frank Hastings (Linda) and Arthur Hastings (Denise). Fred was preceded in death by his brother Dick Foley, and sister Mollie Hastings (Bill). The family extends their gratitude to the dedicated caregivers of Silverado (The Courtyard) and Whatcom Hospice for the compassionate care he received. Memorials may be made to “Alzheimer Society of Washington”, 1308 Meador Ave, Suite C-1, Bellingham, WA 98229. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 8, 2012, from 2 - 4 pm at Squalicum Boathouse (Zuanich Park).