Rolland Fox dies
A statement posted on the Terry Fox website posted on Tuesday afternoon said Rolland Fox, known as Rolly, passed away “while listening to a little Hank Williams.” He succumbed at age 80 to lung cancer, which he had been diagnosed with last year.
The website announced his cancer in January but, like his son, Rolly Fox did not allow his diagnosis to dampen his spirit and determination. “Rolly is committed to approaching the challenge now before him,” the Terry Fox website’s January announcement said, “By adhering to the traits – optimism and a never give up attitude – that he likely passed on to his son Terry.”
In 1977 at age 18, Terry Fox, who was born in Winnipeg but moved with his family to Vancouver when he was eight, lost a leg to cancer. When the cancer returned he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research. His ‘Marathon of Hope’ began in April of 1980 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Running on an artificial leg, Fox ran an astonishing 143 days and 5,373 km. (3,339 mi), covering the equivalent of a marathon every day. However, in September of that year it was discovered the cancer had spread to his lungs and he was forced to abandon his run outside Thunder Bay, Ont. and return home for treatment.
Terry Fox died a national hero nine months later, on June 28, 1981. His death came one month shy of his 23rd birthday.
Marathon of Hope
Since his death, in September every year the Terry Fox run for cancer is held in 800 communities in Canada and in some 60 other countries. The run has raised well $600 million.
Terry’s mother, Betty Fox, died in 2011. His three siblings, brothers Fred and Darrell and sister Judith, continue to help raise funds through the run named in honor of Terry, as did Rolly and Betty Fox. The 2016 run, the first without Rolly, goes on September 18 with registration beginning in April.
Rolly Fox died surrounded by family.
