Another death in the masters family: Brian Foley of Australia
Brian Foley, secretary of Australian Masters Athletics, died last Saturday at age 62, reports the governing body’s Web site. Brian follows WAVA pioneer Ian Hume of Canada up to that big track meet in the sky. Brian competed in the 800 and 1500 at the San Sebastian world meet in 2005. He wasn’t the best, but he was in the game. He’ll be missed all the same. Our condolences to his family and friends Down Under.
Here’s what was posted today:
Passing of Mr Brian Foley: Secretary, Australian Masters Athletics Inc.
6 April 2006 | 9.18am
With deep regret, the Board of Australian Masters Athletics (AMA) advises of the sudden death of its secretary Brian Foley, aged 62, on 1 April 2006 from a stroke. Brian had just returned home to Perth Western Australia from two weeks as an Athletics official at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, an experience he enjoyed immensely.
Born in Tasmania, Brian’s career as a chemical engineer took him to various regions such as Canada, Turkey and Africa. Settling in Western Australia he worked in many roles with Alcoa Australia, the latest being wetland preservation. Brian had planned to retire in a few weeks and enjoy more time with his family and to travel extensively with his wife Norma.
Brian’s voluntary contribution to both Masters and Open Athletics in Australia has been outstanding and he will be greatly missed. He was well known, well liked and well respected in the wider athletic community as an athlete, an administrator and an official.
In 1994 Brian was elected to the Australian Masters Athletics Board and served as Secretary from 1996. In 2003 he received the AMA Administrator of the Year Award for his outstanding services nationally.
Brian was an Australian delegate to the World Masters Athletics General Assembly in Brisbane in 2001 and again in San Sebastian, Spain in 2005.
On a local level in Western Australia Brian served on the Masters Athletics WA committee for 14 years from 1987 to 2001, holding at various times the positions of President, Vice President and Secretary. Brian was awarded a club life membership in 1998. He also served on the organizing committee for the past three national AMA championships held in Perth and was an official at the Sydney Paralympics in 2000.
As an “A” grade qualified official Brian spent many a season with Open athletes. He was awarded a life membership of WA Athletics during the 2004-05 season having given over 20 years service in this area.
Notwithstanding these commitments, Brian still found time over the years to train and compete at a high level, his favorite events being 800m and 1500m. Despite a hip injury slowing him down, Brian still competed at world level in San Sebastian last year.
He was a remarkable man who will be hard to replace. Our thoughts go to the Foley family at this sad time.
Lynne Schickert
President
Australian Masters Athletics Inc.
