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MAJOR SVEN OLOF WILLIAM FRITSCH
Born: Sep 25, 1929
Date of Passing: Dec 15, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMAJOR SVEN OLOF WILLIAM FRITSCH, CD, (Ret.) September 25, 1929 - December 15, 2013 Husband to Emilia Fritsch, brother to Pelle Fritsch (Marianne) and Lars Fritsch (Rita). Olof was predeceased by his first wife Ursula Fritsch. He was father to William (Cathy), Eva (Bryan), Anita (Blake), Lena (Kornelius), Lillian (Mikael), Maria (Phil), Olle (Malina), Liz (Dave), George, Connie (David), grandfather to 17, and great-grandfather to nine. Born September 25, 1929 in Mariastad, Sweden, Olof worked in his father's bakery in Goteborg before signing with the Swedish Air Force at the age of 19 in 1948. He married his first wife Ursula in 1947 and by 1957 there were seven children! Olof immigrated to Canada at this time and joined the RCAF. His military background positions included instructor pilot, check pilot, and lastly aircraft accident investigator. Olof lived in the Winnipeg area with his family of eight children until 1967 then moved to Ottawa, met his second wife Emilia, and finally settled in Montreal. In 1973, he joined ICAO as Chief of Accident Investigation and Prevention Section and served in that position for 18 years. He served as the ISASI International Councillor for fourteen years and as President for four years. In his 44-year career in aviation safety, he investigated more than 300 accidents, created the ICAO Accident Prevention Manual, acted as member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators, worked as a freelance Swedish/English translator, and served as Course Director of the Swedavia Safety Course. Olof won the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1969 and the ISASI Jerome F. Lederer Award in 1990. He was a formidable force with a passion for his work, his family, reading, food, telling stories, and golf. A service will be held 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. January 25, 2014 at Fireside lounge, Building 61, CFB Winnipeg. RSVP with number of attendees and license plate number to Ollebear@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 21, 2013
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Dear Fritsch family; I just learned of Olof's passing thru his son-in-law David Howes and I am still in shock. Olof came to me to do his tax returns around 8 years ago. What started off as a business relationship between an accountant and a client quickly morphed into a true friendship. How could it not - Olof was larger than life - he would come into our office and entertain all those waiting in the firm's reception area - he kept me on my toes and I truly enjoyed his phone calls and especially his visits to my office. I extend my condolences to his entire family upon what must be a huge void - may his memory be a blessing to you all. - Posted by: Derek Silverman (Olof's accountant) on: Jan 31, 2014
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I remember Olof fondly, he brought me in as a relatively young instructor to Swedavia and decoded the Swedish way of living and looking at life for me. I had the opportunity to teach with him in the intervening years and he was a passionate, supportive and contributing safety professional and loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. I will miss his presence and wisdom. - Posted by: Steve Roberts ((ISASI Member and CEO Applied Informatics - The AIR Group)) on: Jan 10, 2014
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Olaf will be sorely missed at ISASI. I served on the Council with Olaf and succeeded him as President. His wisdom and dry wit were always appreciated. What a fine gentleman. It would have been to fly with him. - Posted by: Richard B. Stone (ISASI International Council) on: Jan 07, 2014
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Will always remeber how Olof guided me on how do do things correctly and appropriately when I became a member of the ISASI International Council. I also remember the good times we had telling fighter pilot and flying stories and tales to each other. GBU - Posted by: Tom McCarthy (Fellow ISASI Member and Air Safety Investigator) on: Dec 30, 2013
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In addition there will be a light buffet and a cash bar at the service. In addition, if anyone has any stories or pictures they wish to share they can email them to me at Ollebear@gmail.com. - Posted by: Sven Fritsch (Son) on: Dec 21, 2013