John Foran Obituary

John Francis Foran

Former Senator John Francis Foran passed away on September 11, 2014 at the age of 84. He died in his home in San Francisco after a short illness from bladder cancer. John was born in San Francisco to Catherine and James Foran in 1930 in St. Mary's Park.

He is survived by his wife Costanza his children: David Foran (wife) Karin Vollrath; Mary Spangler (husband) Ken Spangler; Tom Foran; Katie Foran Campbell (husband) Rob Campbell and his grandchildren: Nathan Oliveira, Emily Foran, Jackie Foran and Ian Foran and his sister Marge McSweeney. He is also survived by countless other family and friends who loved him very much. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Mary Foran and his brother James Foran.

John fought in the Korean War and was wounded three times and received two purple hearts. After the war he attended U.S.F for his undergraduate degree and law school. He graduated 2nd in his law class. He passed the bar in 1960 and worked under Stanley Mosk as a Deputy Attorney General until 1963. He then practiced law with Steve Leonoudakis through 1986. He was elected to the California State Assembly from1963 to 1974; during his time in office he passed the 1968 Pure Air Act which was adapted by Congress as the Federal Clean Air act and set national standards for limiting smog emissions. John was elected to the State Senate from 1974 to 1986. He was Chairman of the Transportation Committee in both the Senate and Assembly. John authored legislation that created the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and legislation that expanded the jurisdiction of the Golden Gate Bridge to include all forms of public transportation for Marin and Sonoma Counties. After leaving his senate position he joined the law firm of Nossaman, Gunthner Knox & Elliot as a lobbyist until his retirement in 2004.

John loved to travel; he and Costanza have seen most of the world in their years together. He enjoyed fishing, camping, food, music and theatre. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his loved ones on wonderful spontaneous or elaborately planned adventures. He made the absolute most out of every minute of his life.

Vigil Service, September 18th Duggan's Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City at 7 p.m. Visitation for the public, 4-7 p.m. Funeral Mass, September 19th St Ignatius Church at 650 Parker Ave, SF CA 10 a.m. The Committal will be held privately at the family's request.
Please send donations to: Leo McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco. 2130 Fulton St. San Francisco, CA 94117

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 13 to Sep. 17, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for John Foran

12 Entries

Susan Anderson

June 3, 2015

I would like to include Sen. Foran in the family history I am compiling. If a family member could contact me at [email protected] I would appreciate it very much. Researching his Irish roots.

Francine Brevetti

September 23, 2014

Dear Connie,
my prayers are with you and your family.

September 18, 2014

Dear Connie and Family,
I was so sad to hear of John's illness and his passing. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. With love, Sarah Brunie

Kathryn Renta

September 18, 2014

What I knew of John was a quiet, kind, and occasionally funny man. A host, an employer, a dear friend's father, a darling friend's husband. I will carry those memories gladly. So much love to you all. I only wish I could be there to say these words in person.

September 18, 2014

Dear Connie,
You have my deepest sympathy. For me the consolation is that I saw you and John at Vasco's memorial at Santa Clara. It allowed me the opportunity to thank John for hiring me as his first Administrative Assistant. As I told John, he opened the gates to a wonderful career for a 23 year-old lad of little accomplishment. As a legislator, his subtle manner belied a facile mind. Mostly, I will think of him as a good man with a very good wife.
Sadly grateful,
Phil Ryan

Madeline Crane

September 17, 2014

Dear Connie,
My sincere sympathy to you. You may not remember me as I walked our son to school many years ago with you and your kids! I lived on Portola Dr. Later we moved to Sacramento and I saw the obituary in our newspaper!
Take care,
Madeline Crane [email protected]

September 17, 2014

Dear Connie,
May John's memory be eternal.Our political experiences will be long remembered with fondness. He was a good friend. Victor and Stella Kyriakis

September 16, 2014

RIP dear old friend and classmate. We really aren't too far behind you. David Warner Hagen, class of '59.

September 16, 2014

Deepest condolences to the family and friends. Please be comforted by God's words at Romans 8: 38,39.

September 15, 2014

Sorry about your loss. It is hard losing a loved one. I have an aunt with cancer that almost died. So I understand your pain. It is hard losing a loved one in death. I lost both my grandparents so I get it. What keeps me up is remembering the good times and a few scriptures. One of them is John 4:28. It is very encouraging please read.

John Trasvina

September 14, 2014

On behalf of the University of San Francisco School of Law,
I extend our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Foran and the Foran Family. Senator Foran represented so well the values and principles of justice and public service held by his law school. The vibrancy of the stellar Class of '59 will not be the same without you but your legacy and meaning for all the lives you touched through law and legislation will always continue.

John Trasvina
Dean, School of Law

September 13, 2014

I met John a number of times at his son Tom's home where Tom hosted family and friends. He was always Engaging and friendly. During these conversations you coulf feel his love for his family. My husband chuck will miss seeing John on the opening of trout season.

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