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Fraser KELLY Obituary

FRASER LOYAL KELLY With sorrow, yet with profound gratitude for all he gave us, we announce the passing of Fraser Loyal Kelly on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 in Toronto. After a long illness, he died peacefully surrounded by his family. His greatest love was his wife of 63 years, Joan. She was his respected and valued partner through all of life's adventures. Together, they explored the world and navigated life with grace and humour. In his professional life, Fraser pursued journalism with a passion. He started as a night police reporter in Oshawa and became the Toronto Telegram's political editor. When the Tely printed its last newspaper in 1971, he told friends and family that he would 'miss the honest sweat of print reporting.' Fraser moved to television as the political editor for CFTO in Toronto and the host of Fraser Kelly Reports and Hourlong. Later, Fraser co-hosted the CBLT evening newscast Newshour and a public affairs show, Fraser's Edge. He wrote a column for the Toronto Star and contributed to various magazines. But he was perhaps most respected for hosting live election coverage and political leadership campaigns. Fraser left the CBC at 50 to embark on his subsequent career. He co-founded Corpworld Group, providing strategic communications counsel and training across numerous sectors and issues, always grounded in his belief that you tell the truth, especially when it's hard and hurts. He consulted well into his 80s. Fraser was an incredibly loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend - he loved openly and with conviction. He was a wide-awake optimist, always curious, never cynical. A talker for sure, but more than that, Fraser was a considerate and intentional listener. He had an insatiable appetite for life and approached everything with genuine enthusiasm. He was moved by great music, art and books, and little moments of humanity. He loved his hometown of Toronto and was a huge fan of local sports. Fraser cheered on the Argos, Jays, the Leafs, and TFC. He adored jazz and Oscar Peterson. Fraser was proud of the country and adamant that Canada could always do better and be better at home and internationally. Fraser had a profound love of nature and the outdoors, which he shared with his grandchildren, teaching them to fish and enjoy the natural world. He met weekly with his buddies at the Duke in Toronto to share stories and laughs. We will most remember Fraser for his enormous heart. He gave of himself generously and whole-heartedly. His courage and spirit live on in his wife Joan, his children, Matthew (Lisa) and Heather, and his grandchildren Ciaran, Madeleine, Ellis and May. Rest peacefully, Fraser. We will think of you at every crossroad and celebrate you always! Fraser is predeceased by his parents, Loyal Kelly and Aileen (Wallace), and his brother Robert Kelly (Beverley). If you wish, a donation to the Salvation Army or the Nature Conservancy of Canada would be appreciated.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Globe and Mail from Jan. 25 to Jan. 29, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Fraser KELLY

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22 Entries

Marge van vliet Gumb

July 20, 2022

To Joan and Family
Sending love and sympathy.
Many happy memories of the times we all had at Victoria College.

Kay Richards

May 13, 2022

Fraser gave this former American journalist a shot because I wrote him a thank you letter. He said he liked my manners. He was generous and kind to me at CorpWorld training sessions. Sorry to lose him.

Wendy McGee

January 29, 2022

Iam writing this condolence on his behalf my dad said Fraser was a very good man and a excellent reporter very good friend.He was also a good friend of Bill McCormack. Sending my deepest condolences to his wife and family.
Bob McGee Q.C former Crown Attorney and Defense Lawyer

Wynn Walters

January 29, 2022

I met Fraser some 65 years ago when I started at The Telegram as a summer-job rookie reporter. We worked many nights on the night police beat, listening to the police radio and chasing the occasional ambulance. I later became a full-time reporter at The Tely. Fraser was responsible for a major shift in my life. At a cocktail reception in 1961, he mentioned that he had just applied for a job with the UN in the middle east. He said "Why don't you apply too". I did, and got the job, and took my new wife to live in Beirut for the next six years. I didn't meet Fraser again after that for about 45 years. No hard feelings that I got the UN job - he had by then had a very successful career as a political commentator. He taught me a lot in the early years, and I remember him fondly and with admiration.

Barry McLoughlin

January 28, 2022

My deepest condolences to Fraser Kelly´s family and friends. As a fellow communications trainer and consultant, I only knew Fraser by name and reputation. He was highly respected for his talents and ethical standards and I never met a person who didn´t think he was anything but superb in the wisdom of his strategic counsel and his professional manner.
Long may his memory last.
Barry McLoughlin
TLC Transformational Leadership
Ottawa

Judi Ritter

January 26, 2022

I have really fond memories of Fraser in the newsroom at CFTO. I was a kid and he was a well established and respected journalist and commentator. He always allowed me to have my say even when my opinions were very different from his. I was amazed even then, that someone of his stature and knowledge was so open to my thoughts.
My deepest sympathies to the Kelly family.

Jim Deeks

January 26, 2022

I echo all the positive comments made by others here. I had the pleasure and privilege to work with Fraser in the late 70s at CFTO, and was greatly influenced by his sharp mind, sense of perspective, sense of humour, and deep respect for the principles of fair and unbiased journalism. He was a fine person in every measure.

Dana Chevalier Skukauskas

January 26, 2022

R.I.P. Fraser Kelly. You were such a wonderful journalist, communicator and incredible person who inspired Canadians to contribute Canada to be a better place live and enjoy our lives. I attended the Carleton School of Journalism with your daughter Heather. I would like to express my deepest sympathy to your wife, your daughter Heather and your entire family, beloved close friends, colleagues and fans of your written work. Canada has lost an honourable, talented journalist and classy genteman.

Bob Fisher

January 25, 2022

Fraser was one of the bright spots during my time at CBLT. He encouraged and guided , wanting young journalists to improve their skills and the profession. Producing the mini Doc with Fraser, MAKING IT FOR THE MILITARY was a great experience. My sympathy for his family now that he has gone.

Les & Laurie

January 25, 2022

Ciaran, Naomi, and family. We are sorry about the loss of your Grandfather. We hope the memories you keep of him support you throughout these sad days.

Nicholas Xynnis

January 25, 2022

May his memory be eternal!

Gord Cochrane

January 25, 2022

Fraser was like a father to me. I wrote him a letter (remember those?) after watching an episode of his weekly show on CFTO and he actually replied. Later I worked for him as a researcher during the 1981 Ontario election. We kept in touch afterwards and he helped me land my first real job at CBLT. I will be eternally grateful. Rest in peace my friend! You will be missed.

Joan Walters

January 25, 2022

I respected and admired Fraser and worked with him off and on through the years, in journalism and via CorpWorld. Great mentor, a superb journalist and consultant and one of the most principled people I've ever worked with. Condolences to the Kelly family.

Susan Ormiston

January 25, 2022

To the Kelly family - way back in the early 1980's Fraser Kelly was my gracious co-host on Fraser's Edge, and a font of knowledge for this very green journalist. I learned so much from him and he enthusiastically groomed my J-skills. I am so grateful. I can still see him bounding into a story meeting with more ideas than time and encouraging us all to dig deeper - to watch him interview a politician was theatre.
Thoughts for all of you as you celebrate his life. Susan Ormiston

Nancy Franklin

January 25, 2022

Heather, saw this announcement about your Dad, and just wanted to say I am so so sorry. Hope you are doing ok. All the best, Nancy

Charles (Chick) McGregor

January 25, 2022

I first met Fraser when he came to the Tely many years ago and quickly became friends with him and Joan. Our careers eventually went in different directions but we kept in touch for a few years. It's now been a number of years since we talked, but I remember him as a good guy whose work on TV was as good as it ever was at the newspaper. Another good friend gone, sad to say.

Allan Dickie

January 25, 2022

Fraser was a hometown guy who left a stamp on his trade and his city like few others. A great journalist and a great person. Our deepest sympathy to the family.

Tony Genco

January 25, 2022

Fraser taught me a great deal when I was working at Parc Downsview Park Inc. I will miss his wisdom and wise counsel.

Bill Wilkerson

January 25, 2022

I just learned of Fraser's passing and wish to express my deepest sympathies and best wishes to to Joan and Fraser's entire family. From the late 60s into a new century, we knew each other well as friends and competitive colleagues. Greatness defines Fraser Kelly and I salute him. Respectfully, Bill Wilkerson

Jim Maclean

January 25, 2022

Fraser was a superb journalist and analyst of events and I appreciated his wisdom and sense of humour when I was still in the news media and afterward. He was a forthright man of conviction and principles. It was an honour to have known him.

John Borley

January 25, 2022

I met Fraser Kelly many years ago, when I was a young reporter at CFTO. He gave me a piece of advice then that I carried with me through my career: Always be skeptical, never be cynical. I remember him as a first-class journalist, but also as a genuinely decent, honourable, friendly guy. My condolences to his family.

Regina Silva Robinson

January 25, 2022

I didn't know Mr. Kelly, but I always watched him on CFTO news when he did his reports. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He was not just entertaining, but very informative. My love of politics stemmed from that time.

I wish to offer my condolences to the entire Kelly family at this time. Please know that Fraser was and is remembered by many people in Toronto. And his impact on the lives of many will live on. May he rest in peace.

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