January 12, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Fred wishes to inform you of his passing on January 12, 2022 in Sooke BC at the age of 77. This picture was taken on Father's Day 2021.
Fred was best known for his great sense of humour. He liked to crack a joke or two at any given opportunity. His deep laughter was loud and infectious, others couldn't help but smile or laugh along even if maybe they didn't know what it was about. Sometimes, he even "fell onto the floor laughing".
Fred was born in Penticton in 1944. He grew up on a big ranch out of Oliver and attended the schools in the area. After his high school graduation in 1962, Fred lived in a few different places such as Williams Lake, Australia and Trail.
In 1970, Fred met his future wife, Vi, by chance in Ken's Café in Nelson. They got married in 1971. They moved out to Taghum in 1974 where Fred built a house on their riverside acreage. They lived there for 44 years. Their son, Michael, was born in 1979.
Fred was incredibly skilled in many things and had a range of diverse occupations: truck driver, sidewalk builder, backhoe operator, welder/ steel fabricator and wedding photographer. He even took pictures of eyes for the local ophthalmologist. Fred was a blaster, road builder, scuba diver, rescuer and deputy fire chief.
One of Fred's biggest achievements was to help establish a new Beasley Volunteer Fire Department in the 80's which provided fire coverage to the area for the first time. "Right off the hose", Fred was one of the inaugural captain firefighters and was very active with the hall and eventually became a deputy chief until he decided to retire after 26 years.
Throughout Fred's time with the fire hall, it became much more than just a fire hall since it was later known as Beasley Fire & Rescue which offered additional specialized services such as swift water rescue and rope rescue, which he also did.
Fred was always so modest about things that he did in his life and he never wanted to take credit for anything. It was usually only when the family or friends happened to talk about certain unknown things that Fred did previously when we learned of new things about him. Fred was a very private person.
Fred was often the one "working behind the scenes" or "being on the front lines" then when the event was over - that was usually it. However, one of few things about Fred that managed to get him into the spotlight was the unbelievably so called "Valentine's Day Chocolate Rescue" which was an ice water entrapment situation in 2005. You can read the story here: https://www.firefightingincanada.com/trapped-in-icy-waters-cff-1500/
For 44 years in Taghum, Fred was always doing something on the riverside property whether it was building the roads or structures such as a 5-room Bates Motel or a log suspension bridge. It was never a dull day with Fred.
In the early 80's, Fred built a big studio for wedding photography home business which was known as Riverside Photo. Fred did over 300 weddings on the weekends while during the week, he was a "stay-home dad" to Michael until Michael started school. It was a rare thing for the fathers to do in those days yet that was who Fred was.
Fred & Vi sold their property then moved to Vancouver Island in mid December 2018. Fred and Vi just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September 2021.
Fred will be very deeply missed by many.
The family requests that instead of flowers; you may make a donation to Beasley Rescue Society at 5095 Hwy 3A/6 Beasley BC V0G 2G2.
Due to COVID-19, there would be no service at this time.