George Andrew Fraser, husband to Beverley Fraser was born in Ottawa ON, in 1939. He is predeceased by his parents, George Henry Fraser and Violet May Jay, immigrants to Canada from Scotland and England. He passed away at home in Chilliwack on November 16, 2020. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Beverley, daughter Heather Fraser-Maahs (Randall, deceased ), David (Debbie) Fraser and Colin (Shehla) Fraser, grandfather to Gordon Maahs, Steven Maahs, Laura (Maahs)Ziemer, Katie (Fraser) Copland, Shayla (Fraser) Borik, Scott Fraser and Jade, Mya, Brighton and Ayesha, Fraser. Great Grandfather to Lincoln, Blaine, Georgia and Charlotte Maahs, Paxton, Landry and Hudson Maahs, Oliver, Samuel, Violet and Marigold Ziemer and lastly Kai Copland who shares his birthday. Stepfather to Geoffery (Landis) and Tim (Lyndelle) Graham and step grandfather to Beckett and Elliott.
An outstanding legacy for an only child.
Andy, as his friends and loved ones called him, had varied accomplishments in his life and career. When he attended Fisher Park High school in Ottawa, he enjoyed track and field and became the fastest runner in Canada for a time. He was also the author of the school newspaper forecasting shades of things to come.
Andy was married to Margot McDermid from 1958 – 1993 with whom he had three children. He worked in Ottawa for eight years as an assessor for the government. The family moved to Espanola Ontario in 1967. There, Andy branched out into other careers. He owned a camera and developing shop that also printed t-shirts for team sports etc. Later he became the editor of one of the two local newspapers which he enjoyed for a number of years, his love of writing once again coming to the fore. Andy also did a lot of free lance writing for several magazines including the North American Soccer League between 1978 – 1986. Throughout his time in Espanola he became very involved in the Little Theatre group. He acted and directed a number of productions, including high school plays that won several awards. Andy also enjoyed referring football games for the Espanola Spartans’ football games.
The family then moved to North Vancouver BC where Andy worked as the Managing Editor for the North Shore News. Following that, he took a chance on a life dream and started The Fraser Connection as a tour owner operator to primarily Scotland but eventually many other countries. This turned out to be his calling. It combined his love of Scotland, history and his desire to share this with many of his clients, many whom returned year after year.
Andy married Beverley Graham in 1998 who became his tour and life partner for the next twenty two years. Together they ran this very successful business doing what Andy loved, sharing his beloved Scotland and his love of travel and history with many people over the years.
These are the stats. They don’t speak to what kind of a man he was. How he would hold his grand babies and sing softly to them as he calmed them. It doesn’t speak to his eloquence in writing, so that you could feel the places or issues he spoke of. He was a kind, soft spoken gentleman. Well, except for his inability to abide bad drivers. Oh those bad drivers…..
There was also a prankster side of him. Who of us hasn’t been burned by the hot spoon just having been in a scalding hot cup of tea or coffee?
Being a champion of words, he had some doozies for those he was frustrated by. This especially included watching his son Colin play soccer, and then, many of his grandchildren’s soccer games. His enthusiasm was in a word, epic. And I did mention his lack of ability to abide what he considered bad calls by the refs. New vocabularies were born during these games and events. Historic and epic but oh so supportive and faithful to those he loved. He had your back.
Besides being their dad, Andy shared individual speciall bonds with his three children. He had Heather’s back in politics, letters to the editor, speeches, always the editor and supporter. When Heather’s husband died, he would call her the day after every board meeting, understanding all too well the need to debrief.
Andy and Dave shared a love for all things Scottish. Deep diving into the families ancestry and genealogy, Dave became the family historian, making sure Andy’s legacy lives on in the annals of time and history.
Colin and Andy shared a love and for all things soccer/football, both local and international. Colin has passed that love on to his own children who are exceptional soccer players. We know Grandpa was very proud.
There are so many other things we could say about our dad. Our love of music originated with him. Growing up I think we owned every single movie musical album. And eclectic? We’d find ourselves humming along to a German marching song recognizing it and then realizing it was from one of his many albums. He came home one day with the album Abby Road when it came out. Andy enjoyed and appreciated all the good things about all cultures around the world. His knowledge of history and facts, and just everything in general was far and deep and wide which is attributed to his love of reading. He passed this love along to many of us.
How does one sum up a life well lived and to express the depths of our feelings and memories we all share? It’s almost impossible and this seems inadequate but we hope that over time, those of you reading this will share with us any memories that are special to you with Andy.
God Speed Andy/Dad. We’ll see you on the other side.
Cards of condolence (no flowers please) may be sent to Mrs. Beverley Fraser, #2207 – 8485 Young Road, Chilliwack BC V2P 7Y7.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de George Andrew Fraser November 16th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique