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September 18, 1940 – February 2, 2025
We are bereft. The head of our Beeton Family constellation has died, surrounded by those who loved him most.
Fred grew up in North Toronto, firstborn to the late Laurance Beeton and Edna Hogarth, and big brother to the late Lillian, and Joan Mathieson. Fred attended neighbourhood schools (Glen Park Elementary, and Bathurst Heights High), and was an avid Boy Scout, continuing up through Rovers – a group with which Fred maintained contact for some 70 years.
As a young child, Fred was enthralled by the workings of the family’s Pine Hill Dairy on Hocken Avenue in Toronto. He particularly loved the horse-drawn milk carts, and later the small milk trucks.
Summer visits to Pine Cottage at Cumberland Beach on Lake Couchiching were a highlight. A favourite summer job was making ice cream at Neilson’s where his father worked, and Fred continued his love of ice cream, eating it daily whenever he could.
Following graduation from UofT as a Mechanical Engineer, Fred and his late wife Elizabeth White moved to Montreal, where he worked for both Canadian Marconi and Canadian Pacific. Upon relocation to Windsor, Fred turned to teaching engineering technology at St Clair College. After returning to Toronto and earning an MBA, Fred continued teaching at Ryerson Polytechnic (now TMU), before retiring from Centennial College.
Fire trucks and trains were among Fred’s life-long passions. In adulthood, he proudly co-owned and lovingly restored the 1949 Mack pumper originally assigned to the Toronto Islands. Fred also held memberships in various fire buff organizations (OFBA, IFBA, SPAAMFAA) and enjoyed travelling to attend musters, meets and conferences.
All things railway fascinated Fred, and he travelled extensively to photograph rolling stock, stations, and associated industry. His specific interest in steam power led to his retirement project to build and operate a narrow gauge live steam locomotive, his #9, which he had great fun running on a club track north of Kingston, hauling hundreds of passengers at the annual Battersea Pumpkin Festival.
He applied his brilliant mind and incisive thinking to everything he did, and especially to his hobby interests, amassing a significant reference library, dozens of periodicals, and many thousands of photographs.
As a widower, Fred formed a happy new relationship with Allyson McBryde, and followed his dream of country life, planting hundreds of trees, observing nature, and keenly pursuing his hobbies on the small acreage he loved in South Frontenac. That meant more travel and club memberships (TSME, RHLS, FSME, CRHA, OVAR). There was international travel too, often centred on trains and rail, and Fred particularly enjoyed Switzerland.
Deeply mourning Fred are long-time partner Allyson McBryde, daughter Carolyn (Roger Maitland; grandson Kevin; granddaughter Jen (Brandon Hyatt) and great-grandson Kaius), son Andrew (Isako Shigekawa), sister Joan Mathieson, along with extended family.
A celebration of Fred’s life is planned for the summer.
Condolences via Morley Bedford. Donations in Fred’s memory would be appreciated by the family to your choice of charity, or the Palliative Care Unit at Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto.
2025
Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
death notice Fred L Beeton
obituaries notice Fred L Beeton
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Fred L Beeton and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
