HUGH MCKAY FRASER

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HUGH MCKAY FRASER Peacefully, on February 9, 2011, Hugh passed away at the age of 84 years. Hugh is lovingly remembered by his wife Anne, (nee Pidlisecky), his children, Lesley, Jack, Bill, Carol, Janine, Bud and their spouses, his 13 grandchildren, and his four great-grandchildren. Hugh is the son of John and Mary Fraser of Perthshire, Scotland. Hugh was born in Bienfait, Saskatchewan, on August 30, 1926 and grew up in various nearby coal mining villages. He met the love of his life, Anne Pidlisecky, while attending school in Bienfait. After graduating in Engineering Physics from the University of Saskatoon, he completed a Masters Degree in Meteorology at the University of Toronto. Hugh returned to Bienfait, where he and Anne were married on June 7, 1949. They moved to Winnipeg, where Hugh took a position with the Federal Department of Transport Weather Office (later the Atmospheric Environment Service) as a forecaster and meteorologist. He remained with the weather service for 35 years, retiring as the head of Scientific Services for the Prairie Region. Hugh authored a number of scientific papers and was sometimes a guest on the national news program Canada AM. From his early days, Hugh shared his lifelong love of music with family and friends. Hugh sang baritone in the Barbershop quartet The Fort Garry Four and composed many songs including Manitoba Moon and Keystone for the 1970 Province of Manitoba Centennial celebration. In later years, he performed with Anne and lifelong friends Gordon and Anne Gooding in the group Two by Two and entertained many groups of seniors at various locales. The family summer weekends and vacations were spent at their cottage Little Bienfait Victoria Beach on Lake Winnipeg. Hugh used his self-taught construction skills to build the cottage (as well as two homes in Winnipeg) and passed on his love of cottage life, sailing, and golfing to his family, who continue to spend summers on Lake Winnipeg. Hugh authored a number of unpublished children's stories containing whimsical animal characters including Clarence the Caterpillar. These stories continue to delight each new generation of the family. Hugh took great pride in the accomplishments and pursuits of his children and grandchildren and supported all their diverse endeavours with great enthusiasm and energy. He passed on a patient, considerate, and persistent approach to building, solving problems and helping others. He delighted in the births of his four great-grandchildren and enjoyed his visits with them immensely. Hugh's love and devotion to his wife, Anne, was unparalleled and a source of inspiration to all of his family. His unconditional love for all of his family will endure in their hearts forever. The family would like to give their sincere thanks to the staff of Grace Hospital for their compassionate care of Hugh over the years. A celebration of Hugh's life will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hugh's memory can be made to a charity of your choice or to The Grace Hospital. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2011