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