Rolly Fox remembered by son, Terry Fox's older brother

Fred Fox says his father, Rolly, taught his sons determination and gave them an incredible work ethic, something that undoubtedly inspired Terry during his Marathon of Hope in 1980.

Rolly Fox, died at the age of 80 Tuesdayfollowing a battle with lung cancer.

"Dad was such a fighter and so strong. We're so proud of what he's done in representing our families over the last number of years," said Fred Fox, Terry's older brother.

• Terry Fox's father, Rolland Fox, diagnosed with lung cancer

Terry Fox started his Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run on a prosthetic leg,to raise money for cancer research.

Rolly spent the last years of his life traveling the country, meeting and thanking the volunteers that have kept up his son's dream ofa cure forcancer alive for the past 36 years.

"When Mom passed away, almost five years ago, Dad stepped it up and he felt that it was his responsibility to still be one of the family representatives," said Fred, who is alsothe manager of supporter relations for the Terry Fox Foundation.

• Cancer research crusader Betty Fox dies

"Terry and I are only 14 months apart in age ... the work ethic and determination and everything else that came from Dad, that came from our mom."

Fred says his father was strong, and even stubborn in many ways.

"He taught us that nothing came easy and we had to work for everything we got."

Terry would have been proud of his father, said Fred.

But the family still has work to do and the Fox family'srole in fundraising cancer research will continue, he said.

"Ironically, here we are today speaking because the research and everything that's been done, and the advances that have been made, couldn't have benefited our father," he said.

"It just makes us more determined to continue what Terry started in 1980."