DONALD (DON) HARVEY FRASER

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DONALD (DON) HARVEY FRASER With sadness the family announces the peaceful passing of their beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Donald Harvey Fraser on Friday, April 10, 2009 at the Deer Lodge Centre, at the age 92 years. Remaining to forever cherish Dad's memory are his children, Dawne (Hugh Gordon), Boyd (Gail) and Margie (Dave Currie); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Glynis (Matt Zubec, Payton and Ainslie), Fraser Gordon (Robyn, Sara and Evan), Erin (Joey Levesque, Desiree and Kyra), Donald Fraser (Josee, DJ), Scott Fraser, Ben Currie, Travis Currie, Leanne (Shaun Doetzel) and Allison (Justin Mills, Braxton and Isabella). He also leaves his close friend and companion, Dorothy Naish, and his sisters-in-law, Helen Hutchinson, Elda Fraser and Fanny Crampton. He was predeceased by his wife Verna and by his parents, three sisters and two brothers. Dad was born January 30, 1918 on the family farm at Altamont, MB, the son of Alexander and Birdie Fraser. On November 11, 1939 he married Verna May (nee Crampton) in Altamont and they enjoyed 49 years of happiness, until her passing in November of 1988. Following service in the R.C.A.F. from 1941 to 1945, Dad enrolled in the University of Manitoba and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1949. During this time he lived with his family in Veteran's Village on the campus and was Mayor of Veteran's Village for two years. Following graduation, Dad started a 34 year career with United Grain Growers and worked out of Dauphin as a Field Representative from 1949 to 1958. During this time, he purchased the cottage at Dauphin Lake which we all came to love. In 1958 he was transferred to Winnipeg as Superintendent Field Services and purchased the home at 183 Lyndale Drive in which he lived for 50 years. He became Manager Technical Services in 1970 and was appointed Assistant to the President in 1978. After retirement in 1983 he stayed on part time doing special projects. By 1985 he had completed the histories of most U.G.G. prairie locals and with these had documented 80 years of the development of the rural west as seen through their eyes. During his career, Dad served with the Dauphin Agricultural Society, the Canada Council on 4-H Clubs, the Manitoba and Winnipeg Chambers of Commerce and the Agricultural Institute of Canada. He was President of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists from 1964 to 1965 and became an Institute Life Member in 1984. He was a life member of the Altamont Legion. In retirement, Dad's main interests were his grandchildren, the cottage at Dauphin Beach and travel with our mother. Every grandchild spent a part of each summer at the lake with Grandma and Grandpa fishing, swimming and just hanging out. Mom and Dad were snowbirds for several winters plus had trips across Canada and a tour of Australia and several other countries. From the time they were young, Mom and Dad shared a love of dancing and of old time music, particularly the Altamont Orchestra. None of their children or grandchildren can rival their dancing ability! After Mom's death Dad took up square dancing and met Dorothy. Until a few years ago they had season tickets to the Goldeyes, square danced regularly and for five years shared the Presidency of the St. Vital Seniors Square Dance Club. Dorothy got Dad to retake up golf and together they followed curling which Dad had participated in for many prior years. Dad said Dorothy was better at keeping track of his family's ages and doings than he was. She was very special to Dad and the family thanks her for brightening his life for so many years. Dad loved meeting and talking to people and had a great sense of humour. He was still joking with family and friends even when he had little breath to talk and illness had forced him to give up many activities. Don's funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Memories in Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main Street at Manitoba Avenue, followed by a reception. A burial service will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the Altamont Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Altamont Hall. Both services will be conducted by Mrs. Belva Wilson of Altamont. We will miss you greatly, Dad, and hope to see you and Mom again in the future.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 15, 2009