Chilliwack/Coquitlam (With files from Wikipedia) – Rollie Fox, Terry Fox’s Dad has passed away. Rolland was a switchman for the Canadian National Railway. Terry had an elder brother, Fred, a younger brother, Darrell and a younger sister, Judith.
The family moved to Surrey in 1966, then settled in Port Coquitlam in 1968. Rollie and Betty Fox were dedicated to their family, and Terry’s mother was especially protective of her children; it was through her that Fox developed his stubborn dedication to whatever task he committed to do.
Rollie once recalled that he was extremely competitive, noting that Terry hated to lose so much that he would continue at any activity until he succeeded.
Rollie’s battle with lung cancer has taken his life at the age of 80, and the Fox family took to Facebook to post this:
Our Dad and Grandpa is no longer telling jokes. Rolland Murray Fox died late afternoon on March 8th while listening to a little Hank Williams. He fulfilled his promise to Terry facing cancer with courage, grace and plenty of humour. He thanked everyone, every time as they left the room after caring for him and each and every family member and friend after a visit. Our promise to Dad is to try our very best to focus on the many memories of laughter he gifted us the last few weeks and throughout our lives. His room was always overflowing with family, love, laughter, song and story – does life offer anything better? We have witnessed once again the pain cancer causes but we know, oh how we know, that we are not alone. We have seen first hand the opportunities to extend life because of our nation’s collective belief and investment in cancer research, yet have been forced to accept that they were not available to Dad/Grandpa. We now have your journey, together with Terry’s, to offer us inspiration and hope from this day forward, forever more.
– The Fox Family
Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz tweeted : I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of Rolly Fox, beloved hero and gentleman who will be deeply missed.
