REMEMBERING BRYAN FOLI

A man of perseverance, Bryan Foli, 62, passed away on September 3, 2025, at his home after a long and courageous battle with oral and lung cancer. He suffered through surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Sadly, treatment failed after two years. Bryan taught us that life is meant to be gratefully and passionately lived, despite the circumstances.

He was born in Panama City, Florida, on April 2, 1963, and found his home on Beaver Island, Michigan. Bryan graduated from Kaiser High School in Honolulu, HI, in 1981. He held two bachelor’s degrees: French and Chemistry from the University of Illinois. He also had two master’s degrees: School Administration and Natural Sciences. He was three years into an Educational Doctorate when he moved from Champaign, IL, in 2016 to Beaver Island, MI, to teach high school Chemistry, Physics, and French.

Bryan is survived by his loving wife, Becca; his three children, Connor (Hannah) Foli, Isaac Foli, and Eliza Foli; and his  cherished grandchildren, Eleanor, Caroline, and Amelia Foli. He also leaves behind his mother- and father-in-law, Sharon Henry-Warren and David Bowman; his sister-in-law, Lindsey Bowman, and nephew, Liam Bowman; and several beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Lee and Sandra Kay Foli.

Bryan’s life was directed by his love for God. In his youthful zeal, he majored in French because he wanted to be a missionary to Africa. Before beginning his teaching career, Bryan was a campus minister for seven years at the University of Illinois. This is where he met Becca, and after starting a family, he began teaching high school.

Bryan had a passion for life and learning. He was a thoughtful man who enjoyed deep conversations about anything spiritual, f inancial, historical, or educational. A renaissance man, he could amaze you with his wealth of knowledge and interests in so many different subjects. You could always count on winning if he was on your trivia team. His interest and passion for craft beer led him to become a founding member of Whiskey Point Brewing Co. He really enjoyed his summers behind the bar greeting and talking with all those who visited. A quick wit and great sense of humor made him a fun bartender and easy to work with.

Besides a passion for teaching, Bryan loved being outdoors. He walked or biked to work every day for 15 years, in all kinds of weather! The summers were spent biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Family vacations were always to Lake Michigan. Even though he was extremely weak from treatments, he looked forward to daily walks on the gravel roads of his wooded neighborhood.

Thankfully, with the care of hospice, Bryan was able to spend the last of his life at his home with his wife and children on Beaver Island. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Beaver Island, Michigan.