Daniel Richard Foley was born on September 17, 1996, in Buffalo, New York, to Daniel D. Foley and the late Michelle Foley. Daniel attended Depew Union Free School District from second grade through high school graduation in 2014. He was a four-year member of the Depew football and lacrosse teams. He was also a member of the school’s bowling team, where he was voted team captain for his senior year. After graduating from high school, he was an assistant coach for the junior varsity lacrosse team.

Daniel was a fan of his hometown Buffalo Bills and especially the Buffalo Bandits professional lacrosse team, where he was a season ticketholder for many years. He was truly a difference maker for all that he made friends with. He was known for his corny dad (Dan) jokes, which would be followed by his famous finger guns and infectious grin.

Since his youth, Daniel wanted to serve his community and country. He was diagnosed at age seven with Type 1 diabetes, which prevented him from taking the plunge into military service, but it didn’t stop him from serving his community first with Twin District Volunteer Fire Company in Lancaster New York. He would become an EMT with AMR of WNY. At age 21, he took a job with Fauquier County Fire Rescue in Virginia, where he stayed for a couple years before missing friends and family and moving back to the Buffalo area. He took a job as a CNA in the ICU at the Buffalo VA Medical Center, where he thrived. He so enjoyed helping veterans who had sacrificed so much for their country. Again, his jokes and personality endeared him to the veterans and the staff at the hospital.

In early 2024, Daniel caught the firebug again and joined the United States Forest Service as a wildland firefighter. He joined three lifelong friends from his school days and went to Bly, Oregon. He truly found his calling with his three best friends and the entire Bly District. Daniel passed in the line of duty on July 9, 2024.

Daniel leaves behind his father, Dan, and stepmother, Donna; brother and sister, Wil and Caitlin Foley; best friend and brother, Dan Sutch (also with the USFS); grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless other friends. He also leaves behind his fiancée, Ayla Magliarditi, and her son, Devin.