Michael Berry Foran

On October 30, 2016, Berry Foran passed away after a lengthy fight with cancer, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in August 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina, the third child and only boy, born to Dr. William Andrew Foran and Katharine Elizabeth Berry Foran. He spent his youth in Columbia, graduating from high school in 1965. While attending high school many of accomplishments mirrored the man he became. He worked as an orderly at the local hospital at night, getting an early look at the life and career he would pursue. He also, to no one’s surprise, was a South Carolina scholastic debate champion. After graduation, he attended the University of South Carolina, where he majored in Chemistry, and pursued his goal of becoming a physician. His medical school education took place at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. Excelling in that educational experience, he moved to California in 1973, to begin his residency in General and Vascular Surgery at the University of Southern California. It was here, while in his third year of residency, during a rotation through Good Samaritan Hospital, that he met his wife, Carol who was working there as a nurse. They married in 1979, and after finishing his residency he moved to the central coast and joined into surgical practice with Dr. Winston (Pete) Anderson. There are few residents of the county whose lives he has not touched, either as a doctor, a father, or a friend. Berry was a strong supporter of his children’s endeavors, and was often at swimming, gymnastics, cheer, diving, soccer, football or basketball competitions with his camera in hand. As a family, they travelled extensively, most often to Yosemite, hiking Half Dome with his children four times in his life. There were also yearly trips to USC football games, with his lifelong friends, enjoying fast cars, football, and golf over a weekend. He enjoyed performances at the PAC, weekly rounds of golf, Laker and Dodger games and any political discussion that might spontaneously arise. Berry worked with tireless dedication, grace, and integrity to serve his patients until his retirement from practice last year. He was loved and respected by his colleagues, his co-workers and his patients and through every action and word was the epitome of the concept of “Doctor”. He will be greatly missed, because, as one friend expressed, “When Berry speaks, we all just listen.” He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters, Katharine Cochran and Anne Tinker. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his children Andrew, Elizabeth and Patrick, his sister, Susan Wall (Tom Pedigo) and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held at St. Williams Church in Atascadero, November 11, at 11 AM. This will be followed by a celebration of his life, at Hunter Ranch Golf Course from 3-5:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, Berry requested donations be sent to the Cancer Support Community-California Central Coast or The Yosemite Conservancy Memorial Fund or bring a dessert on a disposable plate to the Celebration of Life.