ROBERT HAROLD FRYER

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Robert (Bob) Fryer, on Wednesday, March 24, 2010.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Doreen of Fort Frances, Ont.; daughter, Doneen Moran of Calgary, Alta.; sons, Jonathan (Sonya) of Highland Park, Ill. and Ron (Lorina) of Fort Frances, Ont.; grandchildren Aidan Bagnall (Kevin), Liam Craig (Jared), Shanleigh and Kassidy Fryer, and Conor Fryer; and great-grandchildren, Angela, Hannah, and Jordan Craig.
Also surviving are his sister Kathleen Lynn; brothers-in-law, Dick Bennett and Gerald Nomeland (Valerie); sisters-in-law, Vivian Biletsky and Linda Davidson (Pat); as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Don and Grace Fryer; and sister, Beverly Bennett.
Bob was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 30, 1930 and his family moved in Flin Flon, Man. in 1932, where he was involved in many sports.
After high school, Bob attended the University of Manitoba, playing on the U of M Bisons basketball team and earning his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education.
He began his teaching career in Hapnot High in Flin Flon in 1955. In 1956, he married Doreen and accepted a high school teaching position in Fort Frances, where they continued to live for 53 years and raised their family.
Bob continued to improve his education and earned his Specialist in English, principal qualifications, Supervisory Officers papers, and Masters of Education.
After many years in the classroom, Bob moved into administration and became principal of Westfort High School in Fort Frances. Near the end of his career he became the co-ordinator of Program Council West.
Throughout his career, Bob was active in his professional association, holding positions at the local and provincial level. After his retirement in 1988, he became active in the Retired Teachers Association of Ontario.
Bob loved playing and coaching a variety of sports and was a member of several organizations, including St. Mary’s Church, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Kitchen Creek Golf Club, Fort Frances Curling Club, The District Health Council, and the Skills Development Committee.
After retiring, Bob and Doreen spent several winters in Arizona, where Bob continued to play sports and sang in the Greenfield Village choir. When he was in Fort Frances, he walked daily to the Sister Kennedy Centre to have coffee and exchange opinions with his friends.
Bob was very proud of his children and their accomplishments, and loved being Papa Bob to his grandchildren. His basic philosophy was one of optimism and his family nickname was “Blue Sky Bobby” because it was always “clearing in the west” for him.
He had a strong sense of responsibility for his fellow man and put it into practice in many ways.
A memorial service was held Monday, March 29, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances.
The honourary pallbearers were his grandchildren, Aidan, Liam, Shenleigh, Kassidy, and Conor.
Cremation has taken place in International Falls, Mn.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario or Rainycrest Long-Term Care Facility in Fort Frances.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com