Born: March 7, 1925 in Melbourne Australia
Died: May 4, 2014 in Campbell River
With great sadness we announce that Fred passed peacefully on May 4, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He is once again reunited with the love of his life, Jean (married 67 years), and his eldest daughter Barb. Grieving his loss are his daughters Bonnie Kyle of Victoria, Linda Riddell (Dave) of Campbell River, son John Raleigh of Campbell River, 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and his much loved Auntie Bonnie and her family in Australia.
Fred was in every way a gentleman and was admired and respected by all who knew him. He had a wonderful sense of humour and never passed up an opportunity to tease. In his younger years Fred was a skilled curler and hard to beat at bridge. His passions in life were fishing, camping, dancing and enjoying what he valued most in life ... his family. His favorite places, where he made most of his friends and spoke of with fond memories, were Texada Island, Black Mountain Ranch and Campbell River.
Fred was in the Australian Army and the Airforce during WW11 and met his bride, Jean, while training in Manitoba. After the war he moved from Australia and became a Canadian citizen. He spent his working life as an underground miner across Canada, becoming a shift boss and safety director at Texada Mines and ending his career at Caroline Mines at Hope BC, as mine superintendent. Even though Fred had to quit school to help his father in the family wood-yard at an early age, he was very much a self- motivated and self- taught man and his achievements were a testament to his intellect. After retiring he and Jean moved to Campbell River and he was never as happy as he was when sitting in his condo, watching the ever changing ocean view. Fred died as he lived, with grace and dignity, filled with love and courage.
He has instilled values and morals in his family that each of us recognize and appreciate. If we can be half the person you were Dad (Papa), you’ve left us with a wonderful gift.
At Dad’s request a Celebration Of Life will be a family campout at Shelter Point on Texada, where we will sit around the campfire and laugh, sing, toast him with a rum & coke, reminisce and be grateful for the many years we were blessed to have this amazing man in our lives.