In Memory of Ignatius Foley
1923 - 2009

IGNATIUS FOLEY

By JOHN O’FLYNN

When older people in Limerick think of famous sweet makers from the city, they would conjure up images of Cleeves and Geary's, but perhaps the man who went on to be the king of sweet makers was Ignatius Foley, or Ig as he was better known, who died on September 24 in Vancouver.

Ig was born in Limerick in May 1923 to Martin and Ellen Foley of St. Joseph's Terrace and his family had their own little sweet making premises in Theatre Lane, off Henry Street.

When he immigrated to Vancouver he got more experience in various different companies before starting his own firm, simply titled Foley's Candies Ltd., in 1960.

His company grew and he invented what were known as Foley's Party Mints which were given out on all Canadian Airline flights to passengers to calm their nerves before flights took off and landed.

After a successful stint at the candy making business, he went on to making chocolate. It was not long before he became the first designated distributor in Canada of Callebaut chocolate from Brussels. He became so successful at the business that he was referred to in the Great Vancouver Book as the Vancouver Godfather of chocolate.

Despite all his success, Ig never lost sight of his roots. For the past 20 years he went back to Limerick each year to meet his family, old friends and no trip would be complete without a visit to Kilkee for the periwinkles and swims

Many Vancouver Irish clubs and sporting teams would often be beneficiaries of donated chocolates and candies for various Christmas parties and fundraisers throughout the years.

Whenever Foley’s mints or candies appeared at the O’Flynn house – they would vanish in a minute. There is no doubt that he will be sadly missed by a large number of people far and wide.

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