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Fred McCALL Obituary
Major (Retired) O.M.M., C.D.
December 24, 1928 – March 26, 2013
Supported by his loving wife Dixie, his daughter Tracy, and granddaughter Shannon, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, AB. Fred had many friends. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Fred made many contributions to the communities he lived in by sitting on boards and committees including the Victorian Order of Nurses (Smiths Falls Branch). He served in the Canadian Forces, first as a cadet, then in the RCA (1RCHA) as a gunner until his retirement in 1976. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Fred was an expert in air defence. He was honoured by the Governor General of Canada in 1976 with an Order of Military Merit. At retirement he established a technical writing business near Ottawa with his wife Dixie that they ran together until they moved home to Calgary in 1990. Fred was passionately interested in building aircraft. He built a full-sized replica of his father's Curtiss "Jenny" or JN4 aircraft that now is part of the Mavericks display in the Glenbow Museum. He also built a full-scale display helicopter for the Whyte Museum in Banff. Fred is survived by his wife Dixie, daughter Tracy Fewster, son-in-law, John Fewster, and granddaughters Shannon and Sarah Fewster. Fred was predeceased by his father, Squadron Leader Frederick R. G. McCall, his mother, Genevieve McCall, and his sister, Geraldine V. McCall. A Celebration of Fred's life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W., Calgary, AB), on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Aerospace Museum of Calgary, 4629 McCall Way N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8A5 (Telephone 403-250-3752, www.asmac.ab.ca), or to The Military Museums of Calgary, 4520 Crowchild Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2T 5J4 (Telephone 403-974-2850, www.themilitarymuseums.ca/ donate), or to the Glenbow Museum, 130 - 9 Avenue S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2G 0P3 (Telephone 403-268-4100), or to the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, 111 Bear Street, Banff, AB T1L 1A3 (Telephone 403-762-2791 Ext 300, www.whyte.org), or to the Salvation Army, 420 - 9 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 0R9 (Telephone 403-410-1111, www.salvationarmy.org). In living memory of Fred McCall, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
31 Entries
Fredrick Keith LaForge
March 26, 2019
A wonderful memory lingers
Sharon Yandon
March 24, 2014
I think about Fred often, and it was nice this opportunity appeared today to add another expression of how much he is missed.
April 2, 2013
Dear Dixie and family,
Our condolences and deepest sympathy to you at this most difficult time. We will truly miss Fred out at Canmore. May your memories last a life time.
Greg & Diana Kraus
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Nick anad Ceese Pyrch
April 2, 2013
Dear Dixie and Tracy
We join you in mourning Fred's passing and offer our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
John Saunders
April 2, 2013
Dear Dixie and Family,my sincere condolences. The loss of a loved is a time of sadness,may the love and memories you shared together help to ease the sense of loss in the days to come.I recall that Fred was a great "auctioneer".
Michael & Barbara Calnan
April 1, 2013
Dear Dixie And Tracy,
It was with deep regret that we heard of Fred's passing. We have many fond memories of the times we were together and Fred,s never-ending ability to make people feel good about themselves. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
Barbara and Michael Calnan
April 1, 2013
Dixie and Tracy,
Paul and I were shocked and saddened to hear that Fred had passed. Our hearts are broken for you. Fred was an Officer and a Gentleman - we will miss him very much. We concur with Auntie Lil!'s words that "things will never be the same around here without him." Let us know what you need, we will be there for you like Fred was for us.
Linda and Paul Morrell
Mary Robertson (Clarke)
March 31, 2013
Dear Dixie and Tracy and family
I was surprised to hear of Fred's passing and send my sincerest condolences. I have great memories in Picton of us all growing together as families and in particular, Fred helping John building the punt which was unknown to me, going to be mine..the Mary J. There are so memories and they can never be taken from us and Fred will live on in our hearts because of them. My thoughts and prayers are with you and trust that you will gain strength to move forward in time.
Terry Tresoor
March 31, 2013
Dixie and Family,
It was a privilege and a pleasure to have known Fred. My sincerest condolences.
LCol (Ret'd) Richard Rogers
March 31, 2013
Although it has been many years since I've seen Fred, he was the kind of gentleman and Gunner that one didn't forget. His leadership to young officers and his gunner knowledge could not be surpassed and I am saddened to learn of his passing. My sincere condolences to the family.
March 31, 2013
Dear Dixie,
We are so sorry to learn of Fred's passing and send our sympathy to you and your family.
Long ago and not forgotten are the many kindnesses of Fred and you, Dixie, to a young 2nd Lt. and his bride, in Picton. You two were a team of hugh support for us and many others.
Fred was a man willing to go the extra mile-even to 3AM trip to a train station and adjusting a TV aerial in the middle of Hurricane Hazel.
May your happy memories of your long life together help to sustain you in the coming times.
Sincerely, with love, Helen and George Olson
March 31, 2013
The McCall family So sorry to hear about Fred. We know he had countless friends from coast to coast, Our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. George and Shirley Sawatzki. Ottawa
March 31, 2013
Unsigned entry for 30 Mar was from Bob Chamberlain LCol (ret).
Ed Schrader
March 31, 2013
Dear Dixie & family:
We are truly saddened to hear about Fred.
Flashbacks? They never end...
March 31, 2013
Fred was a great friend who will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Dixie, Tracy, John and the grandchildren. Dixie, we know, will carry on despite this great loss. Bob & Helena Buckles
Dennis (Doc) & Andrée Hopper
March 30, 2013
Sincerest condolences on loss of this great human and officer. He certainly inspired many of us.
George Couture
March 30, 2013
Sorry to hear about Mr. McCall. We will miss him - he was a very fine gentleman.. George and Angela Couture
March 30, 2013
Dear Dixie. We are so sorry to hear the news about Fred. He made friends wherever he went, from coast to coast, both in the military and civilian communities, and we all mourn his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Our sincere condolences, Bob and Dar Beaudry
Norm Connolly
March 30, 2013
Was fortunate to have Fred as a Troop Commander during OCP in 1963. He was a good officer, great instructor and a fine gentleman. We met a number of times over the years and it was always a pleasure for me to interact with him.
Dixie and family, my sincerest condolences.
March 30, 2013
I had the pleasure and honour of serving with Fred in Shilo as fellow IsG in 1964-68.His knowledge of Artillery was outstanding and I always tried to emulate him in his very professional manner. He was a mentor for me in our daily IG duties. To Dixie and family, please accept my sincere condolences. My life was enriched by knowing and serving with this honorable friend.
March 29, 2013
Fred left an honourable legacy, of friendship, wisdom, and love. He will always be remembered and revered by his family and many, many friends. Shirlee & Bill Matheson
Sharon Yandon
March 29, 2013
Knowing Fred enriched my life in more ways than words can express. He was one of the most intelligent, wise and compassionate people I have been lucky enough to know.
March 29, 2013
Dear Dixie & family. Our sincere condolences. We were fortunate to share many fine memories with the McCall family in RCSA(AA),!RCHA & in Ottawa.
Jean & Roger Strawbridge
Col (Retired) Fredrick LAFORGE
March 29, 2013
Fred McCall was truly a giant when I first met him in Shilo in September 1962. He was a Captain and I was a brand new and recently arrived Officer Cadet at the Royal Canadian School of Artillery. I, and all of my fellow Candidates were lower than bridge pilings. He was the epitome of experience and service and Artillery. I was 18 and wallowing under the foreign world of military discipline and training. He was a giant who knew it all, had been there and he and Gord Shellard were our Troop Commanders. I knew less about Service life then he had under his finger nails and yet he made all of us feel that we too could succeed if we only we were willing to provide one hundred and ten precent. He created spaces and scenarios and situations where young men, away from home, away from the firm foundations that their particular backgrounds had provided, could live and develop and become Officers in the Royal Regiment. He was a giant that wore a smile; he was quick to forgive and even quicker to find some redeeming character in all of us that were part of OCP 10. He was a giant that seemingly demanded more from us than we could deliver and yet he was there with us and for us until even we were proud of the results that we provided. Fred was an Officer. An Artillery Officer. He knew his place and he lived within the Regimental structure of those times and bounds. He understood the pressures that service life could bring and he demanded only the very best effort from those he trained. He was human, he was approachable, he was fun to be around, he was not a saint but he was a giant to all who sought him out. He is fondly remembered and sorely missed. I wish to express my sincere condolences to Dixie and their family and to assure them that I and tens and tens of other Gunner Officers were and are better men because of the professionalism and dedication of Fred McCall.
March 29, 2013
Dear Dixie and Tracy.We deeply share your sorrow in losing that great guy ! What a wonderful friend and office mate he was in Ottawa.Just yesterday we were looking at photos of happy Mccalls,Olsons and us at the "farm". Such pleasant memories !
Much love, Dale & Daisy
Tim & Sharon Guiler
March 29, 2013
Our deepest condolences to Dixie and all the family. Fred taught me as a young cadet and became a friend afterwards. Full of wonderful advice, mixed with great humour, he was a true mentor to a young officer. Stand easy my friend.
Col (Ret) George Oehring
March 29, 2013
I was one of the lucky ones to have Fred as my Troop Commander in Shilo in 1963. He inspired me to become an artillery officer, and for the next 32 years continued as the inspiration to stay as one and try to be as good as he was. Fair, friendly, intelligent, talented, and yes, inspirational was Fred, and even though many years have passed since our last meeting he has remained something special in my life. Sadly, there is now an unfillable space there that will always exist. To Dixie and the family and legions of other respectful friends, I offer deepest sympathies. Certainly one of our greats in the RCA has passed on: how lucky we all are to have shared him for a short while.
March 29, 2013
Our sincerest condolences. Dave and Tannis Walters
NMarcia Beare
March 29, 2013
Dixie you know you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ken McNeill
March 29, 2013
On behalf of Fred's many friends at the Calgary Flying Club, our thanks for his help and many kindnesses. Always a gentleman and always helpful. His assistance with historic photos and with the large plaque in the Club's main room honor his father - the founder of the Club - and all past Presidents. We are out of country and will miss the funeral, but will be thinking of him.
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82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3
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