Obituary of Dan Foley
John Daniel Foley
March 16, 1955 ~ March 19, 2019
Dan was snatched from all of us suddenly, after being the victim of a tragic accident 3 days after his 64th birthday.
Dan was born in Regina, Saskatchewan to Pat and Mary Foley.
The family had a farm outside of Regina where they worked hard till a change was needed when Dan was 5 years old. With 3 siblings and one on the way, with a homemade trailer behind the 1953 Chevy 3 tonne gravel truck, loaded to the nines, the family left for Prince George…
Pat and Mary found home once again and began ranching. At 6 years old, real work started for Dan. His dad strapped him in the seat of the tractor for safety and got him raking the fields. That was just the beginning of a lifetime of hard work. At age 16, Dan and his dad headed off to the Pine Pass to work on the pipeline. Dan knew what hard work was, and wouldn't leave any job until it was completed. He had an incredible work ethic and that was just the way it was!
In 1972, the family, now with 6 boys and 2 girls, moved to the Quesnel-Hixon road and once again started ranching.
Dan knew ranching was in his blood, and at age 18 he bought his own property. He loved the ranching lifestyle and spent the rest of his life tending to fields, raised the best cattle, logged, attended auctions, was an active member for years with the B.C. & Quesnel Cattlemans, enjoyed a huge circle of friends and was always ready to help someone in need, with strong arms, trust, respect, humour, loyalty, kindness and friendship. That was Dan!!
September of '99, at age 45, Dan met the love of his life Judy King at the Valley Auction in Armstrong. Judy had been born and raised in Armstrong and had come home for a family visit. It was love at first sight!!! Dan proposed on Christmas Day and, ever the businessman, gave Judy the option of getting married before calving or after haying. Before calving it was!!! They were married 3 months later on St. Patrick's Day of 2000. Shannon Nicolle was born March 15th, 2001 and Patrick John Daniel was born December 1st, 2002.
Together they worked hard on the ranch and always found time for family fun. The ol' motor home made many trips to Adams Lake where Judy's family met and enjoyed each other’s company, delicious meals and storytelling. Trips to Saskatchewan to visit the Foley relatives were enjoyed, as well as auctions, bull sales, driving mountain roads, quadding and of course his flower and berry picking.
Dan is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Judy and their two amazing children, Shannon, 18 and Patrick, 16, Dan's good friend and father in law, Paul King, loving in-laws, Teri, Jim, Dave (Jan), Pete (Nadine), Helen (Doug Galuska), Allan (Heather), and many nieces and nephews.
Siblings Maureen (Jay Mighton), Kevin (Diane), Tim (Lori), Gerry, Colin, Colleen (Leonard Cave), Kelly (Cindy), and many nieces and nephews.
Dan was predeceased by his loving parents, Pat and Mary Foley, his loving mother-in-law, Stevie King, nephew Bryson Foley and sister in laws Debbie and Beryl.
A beautiful service was held in honour of Dan on March 30th, 2019 at the St. Ann's Catholic Church in Quesnel
Our loving husband, father, rancher, brother, uncle, in-law, business man and friend was laid to rest at the Quesnel Cemetery with Father L'Heureaux officiating, thank you, Father.
Judy, Shannon and Patrick would like to thank everyone for all the love and support we've received from so many good people, those who have so generously brought food, flowers, cards, stories, help and strong arms. It was so greatly appreciated!! Susan Ingram and Charlene Loach you did an amazing job preparing everything for Dan's tea.
Ken, Christopher and all the staff and Clayton's Funeral Directors in Quesnel, thank you for the all-around amazing love and caring you put into your jobs.
Dan's motto: "Do unto others as you have them do unto you."
