FRED STEVENS

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FRED STEVENS Fred Stevens passed away peacefully at West Park Manor in Winnipeg on March 9, 2017, with his wife of 60 years, Babs, at his side. He was 87. Businessman, entrepreneur and social instigator, Fred was not a man to be held back. From his simple beginnings in the small prairie town of Birnie, Manitoba, Fred made his mark wherever he went, from teaching high school while still a teenager himself, through a stint in the Air Force where he met Babs, to a long career in business. Fred rose through the ranks in office equipment service over a 20-year career on two continents, followed by a variety of business pursuits. Fred played an active role as volunteer in school associations, the Canadian Foresters, and the Army Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS). In spite of all this, his daughter and son, April and Kent, both graduated from university and have successful lives, while Babs supported her husband and still managed to have a few interests of her own. The journey of a long life has many facets: Fred joined the Canadian Air Force in 1947 after witnessing the Commonwealth Air Training Program flying exercises in the nearby town of Neepawa, while only a teenager in Birnie. From leading a radar training course, after some rebuffs and twists and turns, Fred married Babs, who was the number-one radar student in Canada (due to his tutelage? Babs isn't saying). It was a forward path from there. Fred progressed with Addressograph-Multigraph (AM), then the fourth-largest office-equipment company (behind IBM, Xerox and Pitney-Bowes, and ahead of Gestetner). Joining as Serviceman based in Winnipeg, Fred went on to the national organization in Toronto as Assistant Service Manager and then National Service Manager for Canada. Eight years later, spotting an opportunity, and knowing his spouse's longing to partake of the "British Life", Fred won the job of National Manager of Technical Services for AM in the UK, a larger role and bigger business, and the family moved to Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, in England, where Fred supervised 50 people directly and managed the organization of 500. While there through the early 1970's, the family enjoyed many rich and seminal experiences of the UK and Europe. With the changing business environment, Fred beat the path back to Winnipeg, where he pursued a varied career, including auto and real estate sales, further involvement in office equipment service management and sales, operating his own wholesale business, and working as coordinator in seniors' services. Throughout, Fred and Babs undertook many volunteer efforts in their childrens' school organizations and beyond. Fred was an active and well-known personality at the 283 ANAVETS club, including roles of Social Director, Unit President, and leading their initial efforts to develop a retirement home. Fred served the Canadian Foresters as local Court President, Vice-President of District Council, and Member of the Executive of the Provincial Assembly. Hearing music, singing along and dancing always brightened Fred's life, and music comforted him through the advancing years. Very special thanks to the wonderful staff of West Park Manor and Oakview Place for their care and tireless efforts. Fred is survived by his wife Babs, whom he married on Grey Cup Day in 1956; his son, Kent, and daughter, April (David); two grandsons, Carter and Julian; two brothers, Ron (Irene) and Arthur, his sister Shirley (Frank), and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Fred and his family especially wish to thank Liz and Fred Williams for their undaunted support, and their numerous great kindnesses. The family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada: www.alzheimer.ca or 1-800-616-8816

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2017