Fred KERNER

FRED KERNER
On December 24, 2011 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, age 90. Fred was an author and journalist, editor and publisher, teacher and mentor. Born in Montreal, he wrote for newspapers and the Canadian Press and was an editor at the Associated Press in New York. He held editorial and executive positions in book publishing in the U.S. and Canada, retiring in 1983 as Vice President of Publishing for Harlequin Enterprises.
  He wrote more than a dozen books, as well as for magazines, radio and TV. He also gave unstintingly of his time to assist emerging writers. He was president of the Canadian Authors Association, created the C.A.A. Fund to Develop Canadian Writers, was on the first executive of the Public Lending Right Commission and helped found Access Copyright. He served on the boards of the Canadian Publishers' Council, Canadian Copyright Institute, Book and Periodical Council, Canadian Writers' Foundation and The Word on the Street and was an honorary life member of The Writers' Union.
  Fred was predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Sally, and is survived by two sons, Jon of Bethesda, Maryland and Toronto, and David of Richmond Hill; a daughter, Diane, of Toronto; and grandsons Zachary, Stephen and Robert. He will be greatly missed by his devoted daughter-in-law Deborah.
  A gathering to remember Fred will be held Saturday, January 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1555 Finch Ave. E. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Writers' Foundation would be appreciated. Condolences and queries may be sent to memorial@pubproj.com.