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DAVID FRASER (DAVE)
Born: Mar 08, 1933
Date of Passing: Dec 08, 2022
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DAVID FRASER
Peacefully on December 8, 2022, Dave Fraser passed away.
Dave was born on March 8, 1933, in Winnipeg, living his whole life and with almost all his time in three houses in River Heights. Dave and his brother Don lived with their parents George and Marion in a house on Niagara Street.
Dave was predeceased by his wife Marion, of 60 years in 2019. He leaves to mourn his three sons, Douglas, Duncan (Phathi), and Donald, grandchildren, Ainsley (Eli), Dustin, Max, Michael, Peter (Iza), Sara, and Tom (Suzie), and his brother Don.
Dave was a friendly, smiling, outgoing little boy who appeared on the cover of a local Advertising magazine as a youngster. His big smile remained with him his whole life and is something we laughed about but also cherished. As a teenager he became interested in basketball (somewhat surprising given his stature...) and went on to play for the University of Manitoba Men's Basketball team as he completed a BA and Law degrees.
Dave and Marion had a very busy, rambunctious house with their three boys and their friends on Ash Steet and then on Montrose. Dad was a great father and grandfather. He was very kind - his discipline amounted to saying "Now, now", or, if things were very serious, "Here, here!" He always encouraged us to try new things, believed we could do them, and brought his enthusiasm to all our activities and ventures.
Dave had a 40-year career as a Lawyer, first with the Land Titles Office, then with Tupper and Adams where he became a partner, and finally as Corporate Counsel with James Richardson and Sons. Dave was also very active in the community, a former Chairman of the Board of the Winnipeg YMCA, and former President of the Liberal Party of Manitoba.
Dave and Marion built a cottage on Ptarmigan Bay at Lake of the Woods in 1970 and Dad has spent every summer there since. He loved exploring the lake, maintaining, and expanding the cottage, and having first his boys, and then his grandchildren share in the wonderful lake experience. He was also an avid skier and enjoyed racing first his sons and then his grandchildren down the slopes!
Dad had a wide group of friends, with the core being "The Bridge Club" of he and Marion, the Swails, the Ashmores, and the two Clendenning couples.
Dad instilled a strong belief in ourselves and an attitude that you can do whatever you want if you put your mind and effort into it. He will be especially missed by his grandchildren who have nothing but wonderful memories of their grandfather.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to the Winnipeg YMCA. A memorial service will be announced later.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2022
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Although I never met David Fraser in person, I had some telephone contact with him when the Toronto in-house legal department of RGCL was being set up after RGCL moved its registered office from Winnipeg to Toronto in 1987. He was very kind and knowledgeable and was a font of knowledge about RGCL's corporate and subsidiary governance. I was the first and only in-house law clerk in Toronto because RGCL was acquired by RBC a few years down the road and for that reason, he really was part of the legal department for a period of time, leaving a lasting legacy on the old firm which began as James Richardson and Sons. May He rest in peace and find contentment in knowing that the old firm still survives today as RBC Wealth Management. - Posted by: Laura S. Uyenaka (Former in-house legal department employee, Richardson Greenshields (Toronto)) on: Feb 23, 2025
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My late husband Glenn and I shared many happy times with Dave and Marin. Dave was also our lawyer for a long time. I have great admiration for the care Donald and Dustin provided for Dave in the past few years. Dustin was part of Dave and \Marion's daily lives during Dustin's earlier years. All three sons and their families were a great source of pride and in return gave Dave and Marion love, respect and attention they so richly deserved. - Posted by: Jean Swift (Friend of Dave and Marion's) on: Dec 24, 2022
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Doug, Duncan, Donald and families, So very sorry to hear of your dad's passing. The picture of Uncle David is exactly how I remember him.....always smiling. Although we didn't see each other often, I always loved to see your mom and dad...both such kind and happy people. The time Murray and I took our son Marcus to the cottage, is a treasured memory. Thinking of you all . Barb - Posted by: Barb Postil (Niece) on: Dec 20, 2022
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I had the pleasure of knowing Don and Marion as they were long time patients at the dental office I worked at (Dr. Michael Helper) They were always so nice and we had so many wonderful conversations as they waited for their appointments. My condolences to the whole Fraser Family. Laura Melnyk-Medven - Posted by: Laura Melnyk-Medven (former patient) on: Dec 19, 2022