Harold Melvin Fryer
4 Sept. 1918 – 13 June 2013
On Thursday, June 13, 2013 surrounded by family, Harold (“Hal”) Fryer passed peacefully away. Harold was born in Neepawa, MB and lived his early childhood in Brookdale, MB and Neepawa. After graduating high school, he attended Radio College in Toronto before returning to Winnipeg. There he met and married Maurine Edith, his wife of 72 years. He was active all his life as an amateur radio operator (“ham” radio, VE7 ALJ) and this led to his profession in the Federal Department of Transport. During his 35 years in this work he lived in Regina, Swift Current, Ashcroft, Abbotsford and Richmond. He was promoted to Radio Technician and maintained the lighthouse beacons along the B.C. coast. He was very active in the Freemason’s Organization as well as the Eastern Star, and was Grand Master of the Freemason Lodge in Richmond in the early 1970’s. He enjoyed travel, with Great Britain as a special interest. In 1972 he fell in love with Salt Spring Island and in 1976 he and his wife moved there. They enjoyed participating in Admiral Freemason Lodge and Salt Spring Eastern Star. He and Maurine were both active members of the Salt Spring Amateur Radio Club. A recent special honour was a lifetime membership in the Radio Club.
He is survived by his loving wife, Maurine Edith. He is also survived by one brother, George Oliver Edward (Ted) Fryer, and 3 children; Kathleen Elizabeth (Ron) Weisner, Beverley Jean (Alex) Galbraith and James Harold (Anne) Fryer. He is survived by 5 grandchildren Lianne (Chris), Jeffrey (Stacey), Michael (Sarah), Stephen (Kelly) and Kimberley (Victor). He has 6 great grandchildren , as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.
A special thanks is given to Dr. White and the staff of the Extended and Acute Care Units at Lady Minto Hospital for the thoughtful and sympathetic care he received throughout his time with them. Special thanks also to the Palliative Care helpers. A Memorial will be held at the Masonic Hall on July 28th. A tribute to Hal Fryer can be viewed on Hayward’s Funeral Service website: http://www.haywardsfuneral.com/