December 12, 1932 - December 20, 2020
Fred passed away quietly at home on Dec 20, 2020, having celebrated his 88th birthday a week prior.
Fred was born Dec 12, 1932 in Nelson, B.C., and received most of his education in the area. During his "Nelson years" Fred was an Army Cadet, played drum in the Pipe Band and of course played hockey. For his last year of high school, the family moved to Cranbrook. Fred played more hockey in high school and later was part of the Cranbrook Selkirk's Men's Hockey Team.
Following his years playing hockey Fred was a constant at the Memorial Arena coaching the Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget teams through the sixties. If he wasn't coaching, he was likely supporting the Cranbrook Royals Hockey Club or running the Cranbrook Summer Hockey School through its inaugural years.
Later in life he was a lifetime season's ticket holder for the Kootenay Ice. During these years Fred married Marnie his wife of sixty-two years, found time to complete an apprenticeship with BC Tel and became a father to Bob and Perri.
Fred's other great passion in life was his Masonic Lodge affiliations. Fred, a Master Mason, and member of the Gizeh Shriners served on the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane. He became the first Canadian Emeritus of that board.
He played lead tenor drum in the Shrine Club Band with whom he drummed the Legionnaires to the cenotaph for twenty-nine years, Remembrance Day had great meaning for him, being a child during the war he saw many neighborhood young men go off to serve.
Fred's life spanned many technical advances, from learning how to hitch the horse team for his father's cartage company to finishing up on the computer with BC Tel.
Fred is survived by his wife Marnie, son Bob, daughter in-law Janice, grandson Matthew, his daughter Perri and her partner Gerry, his niece's Georgia and Poppy, nephews Michael and Gordon. Many in-laws and extended family and his beloved pup Fraser.
Fred was predeceased by his father William (Bill), stepfather Gordon Haskel, mother Isabella, brother Gavan and sister Ruth.
No service is planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers donations to the BC Children's Hospital https://www.bcchf.ca, BC Cancer Foundation http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com, Salvation Army or the SPCA are appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services.
Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com
McPherson Funeral Services