Bryan Foley - Standard Bearer.

[Administrator]

Barry town's last salute for an unsung local hero.



A FAMILY has paid tribute to the man described as a “larger than life character” who always had the Barry community at his heart.

Bryan Foley, of Guthrie Street, died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 6, aged 58.



Mr Foley was well known in Barry for his prolific voluntary work.

Following his death, the cenotaph outside the Barry Memorial Hall, was lit up in tribute.

He was a community first responder, a group scout leader with 11th Barry Seas Scouts, and volunteer with the Royal British Legion (RBL). He was involved with the RBL Poppy Appeal and the Merchant Navy Association as a standard bearer.

He assisted the Tall Ships Youth Trust and was with the British Red Cross and St John in his teens and early twenties.

Mr Foley also had links to Barry Coastguard and was a member of Cadoxton Methodist Church which he attended regularly for 30 years.

LINK

Our deepest condolences are with Bryan’s family and friends at this saddest of times.



You will be missed by many in the Barry community

[Administrator]

MR, BRYAN FOLEY



It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Mr. Bryan Foley of Barry on Saturday 6th June 2020. Bryan was not one of our members but a greater supporter of the Merchant Navy, and the Merchant Navy Association (Wales) in particular, would be hard to find.

He had a varied career after leaving Barry Comprehensive School which included working as an Assistant Manager for H. Samuel, Mortgage Consultant for Mortgage Force and a Bus Driver for Cardiff Bus. He was a Group Scout Leader with the 11th Barry Sea Scout Group, Community First Responder, Heartstart instructor, a Committee Member of the Tall Ships Youth Trust and a member of the Royal British Legion Barry Branch Poppy Appeal committee, where he championed Merchant Navy interests. He was also our “go to man” if we wanted help. In June 2018 we supported our Barry Branch shipmates at the Armed Forces Day event at Barry Island. Bryan arranged for a gazebo, table and chairs to facilitate our MN display. In September the same year we arranged a trip to Swansea to support our Swansea shipmates at their Remembrance Service. Bryan not only arranged the transport he drove it as well. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and his enthusiasm for everything he was involved in was tremendous. Not one to lie back and accept the status quo he was always looking for ways to improve the way things are done.

He carried the Barry Standard with pride and dignity at numerous events throughout his time with us, and fought the cause for recognition of Merchant Navy veterans not only in Barry but the wider community of Wales. He will be a great loss to the Merchant Navy (Wales), Barry Branch and the Barry community. As a tribute to Bryan the Barry Memorial Hall changed the lights on the Cenotaph to red, white and blue for the 8th to the 12 June. His light will shine brightly over Barry the town that he loved.

MERCHANT NAVY ASSOCIATION (WALES)

[Administrator]

Barry Town Council

The Bryan Foley Shield is an award given to an individual who has shown excellence and commitment through their volunteer work and as a member of the organisation they belong to. The Bryan Foley Shield is open to all those who volunteer within a uniformed organisation operating in Barry and is open to all ages and levels within the organisation.



Bryan Foley was an exceptional member of our community who devoted so much of his time to helping others and sharing his skills and expertise across a number of organisations. Bryan Foley was an inspiring individual and this award, in his honour, hopes to recognise other inspiring individuals so that Bryan’s memory and legacy will continue within the community he loved.

All nominations must be received by Friday, 26 October.

To request a nomination form, please email [e-mail]