Obituary Overview
In Loving Memory
Lloyd passed away peacefully after a lingering struggle with the effects of Alzheimer’s and several strokes in Oakville on November 6, 2018.
Lloyd is lovingly remembered and missed deeply by Mary, his wife of 29 years, his children Michael (Theresa), Carolyn Rutherford (Tim), Douglas (Brigette) and stepson Mark Jazvac (Catherine), his nine grandchildren Keaton, David, Kathryn, Jennifer, Robert, Brian, Nicole, Emma and Peter and by Mark’s dog Ellie. Also remembered by his sister Betty-Jean Davis of Stratford and his nieces and nephews. Lloyd is predeceased by his first wife Jane, his parents Herbert and Dorothy Freel and sister Margaret.
Lloyd was born in Stouffville, Ontario. He attended the University of Toronto where he received his BA (Div.) from Emmanuel College and then headed north to Elliot Lake and Emsdale Ontario for his early postings as a United Church Minister. After moving to Norval and Mississauga for further postings in the Church, he left the profession to become a high school teacher in 1969. He taught English at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute for 24 years before retiring at age 64.
In 1958 Lloyd started building his own cottage with Jane on Horn Lake in the Almaguin Highlands. This provided his children with many years of amazing memories on the lake where summers were simple with an outhouse, no shower and no electricity in the early years. This was a very special place that Lloyd created for the family and the memories will always be cherished. Lloyd’s master carpentry skills mean the cottage is still standing and enjoyed by Michael and his family.
When a boat access cottage became too much, Lloyd and Mary created a new cottage life together by building a lovely place on Eagle Lake. For ten years they enjoyed the beauty of the northern summers together, creating many new family memories and enjoying visits with the grandchildren. These visits included trips to the sandy beach and Algonquin Park and many wonderful shared meals together with produce from their large garden.
In his earlier years, Lloyd attended the gym regularly and had a love of cross- country skiing, canoeing and sailing. He was an avid reader and spent many hours over the dinner table passing on his knowledge from the books he read to his captive audiences. He especially loved history, biographies and the Economist though his amazing memory of seemingly every fact he ever read made it hard for his children to win debates about history or politics. Lloyd enjoyed travelling especially by car and sometimes tent trailer and had travelled across all of Canada including the Yukon. He loved to talk to people and learn the history of all the places he visited. Unfortunately it was not until later in life that Lloyd discovered that warm places like Florida and Hawaii also made for great travel destinations.
In his retirement, Lloyd remained very active with the United Church working with Halton Presbytery and as a passionate cheerleader and fund raiser for Erin Mills United Church. Lloyd took on Sunday services in seniors’ homes and happily preached for other Ministers on vacation.
A special thanks to Lloyd’s best friend, Bob Rogers, for making Lloyd laugh throughout his life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to honour Lloyd to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario or to the Seniors Life Enhancement Centre in Mississauga, (Bristol Circle branch). This daily care centre for adults living with Alzheimer’s was a wonderful place where Lloyd was very happy.
A service will be held at Erin Mills United Church in Mississauga on Saturday November 24. Visitation will commence at 11 am, followed by a service at 12 pm and a reception to follow.
Please take a moment to share a condolence message with the family on the online Guestbook.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lloyd Freel 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: Oakville, Province: Ontario
