Obituary of Kenneth Foley

 

Kenneth Foley, C.A., C.M.A., F.C.M.A.

 

Peacefully on February 5, 2022, of natural causes.

 

Predeceased by his beloved wife Frances Foley. They were married from 1945 until her death in 2011. Predeceased by his brother Richard in 1957. Leaves behind his loving family: son David and Judy, son Paul and Marylu and grandchildren Sarah (Chad) and Michael. Ken also leaves a wealth of friends and colleagues from around the world who also will miss his positive disposition, generous spirit, and unique intelligence.

 

Ken was born in Manchester, England and celebrated his 98th birthday this past September at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre where he has lived since November 2019 following a series of medical challenges.

 

He attended Altrincham Grammar School in Cheshire. In his words, he was not an ‘outstanding student’ but then found his niche studying accountancy, earning several firsts in examinations

He enlisted in the RAF in 1943, at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. His initial training occurred at the Air Observer School, Portage la Prairie, Canada. He received his Navigator Wing at Portage in 1944. Ken reported “As a younger, and therefore later arrival ‘on ops’, I only did one bombing operation. Shortly thereafter, we dropped food on Rotterdam (Operation Manna) and flew repatriated POW’s home from Italy.”

 

in 1946 he served as 2nd Navigator on Bomber Command’s first post-war good-will mission to the Far East under the command of Group Captain S.C. Elworthy, later Marshall of the RAF, Lord Elworthy. Ken left the RAF in 1947 as a warrant officer and completed his accounting training.

 

Ken had a long and varied career including positions at: Deloitte, Plender, Griffiths & Co (Manchester); Derbyshire Stone (Matlock). And, following emigration to Canada in February 1957: Gillies Lumber; Lever Brothers, Rio Algom Mines; G.H. Ward and Partners; Campbell, Godfrey and Lewtas; the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and Dominion Securities. He retired from TV Ontario in 1988 and was able to enjoy many trips with Fran.

 

Ken was active in the Society of Management Accountants of Canada, the Toronto Board of Trade; the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Aircrew Association and was invested as the first President of the Toronto Branch of the ICMA in May 1983.

 

Ken had a lifelong commitment of service to the church. As a young man, he would travel the U.K. by train to hear leading preachers of the day and qualified as a local preacher in the Methodist church in 1952. He was a very active member of the congregation of Parkwoods United Church and often attended Eaton Memorial. He gave his time generously to the United Church of Canada and charitable committees and boards.

 

Ken was inspired by Kipling’s ‘If’, which ends:

 

“If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!”

 

One of his favourite hymns ended with this verse:

 

“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,

Still be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!”

 

Thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre for their amazing care. Thank you to Jen Bray for her extraordinary help and compassion.

 

In lieu of flowers Ken requested donations to the Mission and Service Fund of Parkwoods United Church, 85 Parkwoods Village Drive, North York, ON M3A 2X9. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

 

Please see the funeral home's website at www.humphreymiles.com for donation links and to send condolences.

 

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