Andrew Norman Daley

Andrew Norman Daley, aged 80, passed away at home on April 20, 2026. In the days leading up to his passing, he had spent four memorable days hiking some of his favourite trails in Kelowna with his precious wife, Elizabeth (“Lizzy”), and their three children.

Andy was born in Purley, Surrey, England, and developed a love of adventure early in life after his family immigrated to Canada, settling on Eagle Island near Horseshoe Bay. Later, they moved to West Vancouver, where Andrew attended West Vancouver High School, belonged to the Alpine Club of Canada, and went on to attend UBC and enroll in the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps. He started in Engineering and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Geography – the perfect degree for a future ultra runner. His knowledge of topographical maps served him well while training and racing in the forests and mountains of British Columbia and beyond. At UBC, Andrew met and married Elizabeth Webber. Whether it was mountaineering, ski touring, or winter camping, Andy was always ready for the next adventure, and Lizzy was a willing participant.

While teaching brought the couple to “small-town” Kelowna in 1969, it was the beautiful Okanagan that captured their hearts and where they raised their kids. Over a 34-year career, Andy first taught high school English and then Mathematics (with his signature sense of math humour) at Springvalley Secondary, Hollywood Middle, and Rutland Senior.

Outside of work, Andy’s activities included Boy Scouts, the Nordic Ski Club, Outward Bound, Search and Rescue, the Kelowna Canoe & Kayak Club, and the Kelowna Running Club. These activities were interspersed with mountaineering (including a winter whiteout ascent of Mt. Baker and a summer ascent of Mt. Rainier), backpacking, skiing, biking, and eventually running. Andy often quipped that he swam like a stone, but that didn’t stop him from completing his first (and last) triathlon in 1985.

Running became his passion as it allowed him to explore more of the mountain trails surrounding the Okanagan and beyond. Those trail runs, over the past four decades, enabled him to complete dozens of marathons, numerous 50-milers, the UK South Downs 80-miler, and even a couple of 100-milers running in Leadville, CO (1997) and the Cascades, WA (2001). Hilariously, during the 2002 Victoria Marathon, when his son was too slow around the 22-mile mark, Andy started running backward to encourage a faster pace — bringing humour and heart even to the toughest stretch. He continued to walk, run, bike, and hike up until April 19, a testament to a life fully and actively lived.

But Andy’s life was much more than running, as he and Lizzy went on ocean and lake kayak trips interspersed with cruises to Iceland, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Antarctica, and beyond. He was also an active member of his church community. As a Grandpa, he and Grandma were unrelenting attendees at their grandkids' sporting events, drama productions, and graduations.

Andrew is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, their three children and spouses, Norm & Laurie, Alison & Graeme, and Nigel & Melody, and seven grandchildren, Zack, Shane, Ruby, Jasper, River, Claire, and Molly. He leaves behind a legacy of adventure, resilience, and deep love for family, community, and the natural world. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Family and friends are invited to Andrew Daley’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 22 at 3:30 PM at the Benvoulin Heritage Park 2279 Benvoulin Rd, Kelowna, BC

Parking is limited so car pooling is appreciated. Light refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, the Daley family suggests sending donations to the Friends of the South Slopes, stewards of the many places Andy loved to explore in his running shoes, including Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, and the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services (Dignity Memorial) Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299