Loving Husband, Father, Grandad, Friend and Mentor to many, Stuart passed away at the age of 89, on November 25, 2018. Stu was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1929. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife Lilian, sons: Ian (Barb), Colin (Crystal), Bradley (Jacquie), as well as his three grandchildren Hunter (Catie), Adrienne and William. Stu will be also be missed by many friends including Alastair Mulholland, Alec Provan, Kevin Walker, Nial McNaughton and countless snooker opponents.
Immigrating to Canada in 1953, Stu worked many jobs and eventually found himself in Cinema, BC where he met and later married Lilian. Stuart and Lilian bought and operated Cinema Service (gas station; general store; post office; coffee shop; cabins; and a movie theatre!). Lilian also taught the local kids (grades 1 to 8) in a one-room schoolhouse. They moved to Quesnel in the early 60s and started their family. Stu also established a successful digging contracting company in Quesnel installing sewer and water systems for many small towns in the Cariboo. The family moved to Victoria in 1967 and Stu obtained work at Oak Bay Public Works where he remained for 20 years, ultimately retiring as the Assistant Superintendent. Stu founded the Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society in the mid-seventies and was always a little embarrassed when former Mayor, Brian Smith, referred to it at many official functions as Oak Bay’s Navy. Stu was involved in some 800 marine incidents over 22 years; the Oak Bay Police Board presented him with the Award of Merit for saving two people who went overboard in heavy seas when their sailboat capsized. Stu obtained a Master Mariner’s Certificate and operated and maintained a fleet of charter vessels for the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Stu skippered the Pride of Victoria on hundreds of whale-watching and dinner cruises over many years. Stu and Lilian took to the road in their RV and frequented Alaska, the Yukon and NWT where they dipped their toes in the Arctic Ocean! A year long trip took Mum and Dad across Canada where they shipped their motorhome to the UK, then onto Europe and eventually home again across the USA. Stu was a mechanic by trade; he was a tinkerer and loved to get his mind and hands busy fixing anything. His workshop was a meticulous place; he had every tool imaginable and a home for each one. He took great pride in his three grandchildren and enjoyed their company whether he told stories, played games or teased them. Stu battled CLL (leukemia) since 2008 as well as a multitude of other cancers but did not let his health matters bring him down. He was a frequent patron of the Snug and an avid snooker player at the Monterey Senior’s Centre. His motto “mustn’t grumble” kept him going. Stu was simply genuine, a man of great experiences, knowledge and wonderful stories.
The family would like to thank Drs. Kinnahan, Bieberdorf and Tiislar and the wonderful nurses at 4S RJH for making Stu’s last days comfortable.
A toast to his life will be held in The Snug (date TBA).
In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Cancer Foundation or the Victoria Prostate Centre would be greatly appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Joanne Hankey
-
Jacquie Vanderwood Stuart or as I’d like to say behind your back ‘pops’ ,
You were an amazing man, always a smile and kind hug even when you were feeling your worse. We shared so much these last few years with our struggles, I feel fortunate that you were willing to take my bets, of course a bottle of scotch was involved but if it meant to benefit you then all the best.
I loved listening to your stories of your youth and when you first came to Canada and all that you’ve done and accomplished.
One of my fondest memories was when behind yours and Lilian’s back Brad and I were sorting through some old photographs and doing the soundtrack for your 50th wedding anniversary. I found a real connection to you then and it continued on.
You were an amazing husband, wonderful father and of course grandfather, but best of all you were well loved, liked and admired to all those you touched and or just crossed paths with and I’m thankful I was one of many.
Epitaph on my own Friend – Robert Burns
An honest man here lies at rest
As e’er God with his image blest
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The fri nd of age, and guide of youth;
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.Peace be with you as you are now free
-
Carolyn Whysall So sorry to the Fraser family for your loss. I first came to know Stuart when I worked at the West Coast Brew Shop and later at Cook St Wines. He was an absolute genius when it came to fixing things around the shop or Mcgivering equipment to make it more efficient. I loved hearing the stories of his life and particularly the trip to Europe in the motorhome and negotiating the Arc de Triomphe!
Stuart you were a true gentleman and you will be very sorely missed.
-
Mulholland Sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing.Our condolences to Lilian and the family.He was a great buddy and friend for many years.Aye Bella and Alastair
-
Aliza B Wedin My deepest condolences to the Fraser family. I love you all dearly and I wish I could be there in person. All the best,
Ali + family
-
Hunter Fraser Grandad,
It has been a week since you left us, it seems hard to believe. I am still in disbelief that you won’t be the one to answer the phone when I call the house anymore. I am overcome with grief of your loss; as are many others whose lives you impacted. I have been able to find some comfort that your long and painful battle has come to an end.
We shared many experiences over the years all of which I learned from as you were such a great teacher. My favourite memory of our time together would be your visits to the Snug every Wednesday when I worked at OBBH. I made sure to make myself free for a quick hello and update on your day’s events (often including how many snooker games you won and what new invention you were working on).
A friend of yours recently told me that I would be lucky to become an 1/8th the man that you were. I would have to agree with him. You were loved and admired by each person you met and left a lasting impact on me. If it wasn’t for you, I would never have found my way into the hotel business; you always had my best interests at heart.
I am sorry for “eating you out of house and home”, as well as “growing to the height of nonsense”. I finish this by saying that I will never be able to have a glass of “the red stuff” without thinking of you. Thank you for your unwavering love and affection over the years. I will miss your sayings, quick wit and fist bumps. Love you.
-
Christina Lewis Whenever we were in Victoria, we always looked forward to our visits with Lilian and Stuart. They always made us feel so welcome and right at home. I was always interested in their vacation adventures, and Stuarts insight into everything from boating to mechanics to snooker. I even had the pleasure of losing a few snooker games with him. My sincere condolences to Lilian and their family and friends. Tom
We will miss him very much on future visits to Victoria. Stuart was a man to both respect and love. He always made me feel special,something I remember from a young child. May he now be at rest and peace. Tina
-
Morgan Brown Dear Uncle Stuart. I always enjoyed visiting with you, Aunt Lilian and the boys – in 1974 with Helen and Mum, later on my own, and then with Catharine and our own boys. You were always so welcoming and cheerful, in later years offering us a glass of your good red wine. Our family visits to you and Lilian in Victoria are to blame for Mum and Dad retiring there – not such a bad choice, eh? I’m so glad you were able to visit us in Pinawa, on your way to the UK with Lilian – it was a chance to repay a little of your kindness over the years. We shall miss you.
-
Adrienne Grandad,
You have always been one of my favourite people ever since I can remember. I have so many amazing memories with you. From when I was 2 years old and dropped a big necklace of beads on your sore toe (I don’t remember this one but I’m sorry I did it), to enjoying your company at my 20th Birthday. We have had the best grandfather/granddaughter relationship: it has been full of laughs, hugs, jokes, and teasing. I used to love coming over in the mornings when I was a kid, and “scaring” you when you were on the treadmill. I know now that I never actually scared you, but you always played along with my games. Every time you would give me a hug, you would press your ear up against mine and say “did you hear my trumpets?” referring to your hearing aids. I really loved that. I enjoyed every single visit I had with you and Grandma and I will treasure them forever. I always enjoyed seeing you wave out the window as I left your house after our visits. You have truly been the strongest man, with your “must’nt grumble” attitude, which I have and always will admire. You have been a huge inspiration to every who knew you, and I am honoured to be your (only) granddaughter. Life already seems very different without you, and I’m sure it will for a long time. Love you forever and always. TTFN, Be good.
-
Kevin Walker Stuart and I shook hands out in the farm yard, for the last time just a few days before he headed to the hospital… he didn’t let on that it was our goodbye – maybe he didn’t know either. I asked him if he would join me for a start up of a Caterpillar engine project he and I had been working on, he thought that would be good. That get together unfortunately didn’t happen. That’s a first, Stuart always showed up. Such was life with my friend Stuart. Always game to help out a friend.
Stuart’s influence in my life was profound. A man of such fine character is hard to find. A real man’s man.
You’ll be missed by many Stu, and by me especially. God speed my friend. With love from Shawna and I and our family to the entire Fraser clan.
-
Terry McTeer On behalf of the McTeer family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the passing of Stuart Fraser. It would be difficult to find a story of a fuller life or one so well lived. We know he will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
-
Catie McTeer To The Fraser family, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Stuart’s kindness towards me and those special hugs he gave me. He will be missed, immeasurably. Stuart, thank you for always being so kind to me and thank you for the lovely family that you have created, I am so grateful to be apart of it.
Love,
Catie
To Lilian, her sons and their families,
Deepest condolences on the passing of Stuart. He was an exceptionally good human being. He will be remembered and missed by me and Morris as well who passed in 2009. Perhaps they have met up again and are reminiscing about their times shared on the water and on the land.