Frederick Robert NOGAS

1930 - 2022

FREDERICK ROBERT NOGAS November 11, 1930 - October 19, 2022 At the age of 91, Fred peacefully passed away at Credit Valley hospital after battling numerous illnesses for many years. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Olga Valeria Nogas; sons, Craig and Rob; sister-in-law, Maggie Likavec; and grandsons, Benjamin, Griffin, Jacob, Matthew, and Charlie. Fred was born in Welland, Ontario to Michael and Natalia Nogas. He attended Prince of Wales Public School in Thorold and graduated from Thorold High School, winning the Ontario Leadership Award. He joined the Flying Dragons Air Cadets and became Sergeant. A war history buff, Fred never lost his passion to honour the veterans who fought for our freedom. It was only fitting that he was born on Remembrance Day, as he would never miss the opportunity to pay tribute at a Cenotaph. In 1957, Fred graduated from his beloved Queen's University with a degree in Industrial Relations. Ever the enthusiastic athlete, he competed at the Varsity level on the track, football, and basketball teams. Leveraging this playing experience, he carried on refereeing basketball for many years at the university level. Fred had an illustrious professional career starting as a marketing rep for B.A. Oil. Moving to a position in Human Resources at Gulf Oil, he was then promoted to Director at Gulf Minerals, supervising a revolutionary "fly-in" mining operation. The next phase of his career took him to the private sector in the field of Human Resource Consulting. Working well into his 80s, his final stop was serving on the Employment Insurance Appellant Board of Referees. Fred volunteered his time sitting on the Board of Directors for The Board of Trade, Personnel Association of Toronto, and Devils Glen Country Club. Charity was a large part of who Fred, supporting the Veterans, Princess Margaret Hospital, War Amps, Rattray Marsh Conservation Area, and the Queens Alumni. Fred provided the most enriching life and idyllic neighbourhood for his sons to grow up in Lorne Park Mississauga introducing his passion for sports. Even with a busy long career, when possible, he took the time to attend and support the many sports, arts, and graduation ceremonies of his sons and grandsons. Fred loved his ski and "apres-ski" life at Devil's Glen eventually building a chalet on the property in the 1980's, aptly naming it "Nogie's Nook" where he would gather with his family and many friends. Fred was not well enough the past handful of years to visit, but he would always inquire how was Nogie's Nook holding up, and a smile would come to his face when we would tell stories of the enjoyment taking place up at the chalet. Fred also loved sailing, fishing, tennis, stamp collecting, bird watching, and working countless hours in his garden. He had a vast and varied circle of friends, accepting of everyone. Fred was the most kind and supportive person one could imagine. He created an Olympic experience for all the cottagers at Bass Lake near Espanola where he was aptly known as Lord Killanen (head of the IOC at the time in the '70s). Fred made great memories for all the Snider, Zwarych and Nogas family members, taking the time to award medals and honour everyone's talents, or lack thereof staged from the back of a pickup truck. This was his nature. He was able to treat everyone as an equal and extend his love and support to all in a profound way. During the last few years, Fred required dialysis 3 times per week. He would proudly wear his Ukrainian blue and yellow hat and quickly became known by the Credit Valley hospital staff as the "Happy Ukrainian". Always showing up with a smile on his face, never complaining, his positive attitude was infectious to anyone who came in contact with him. His family is eternally grateful to the staff at the Trillium Hospitals who cared for Fred these past years, especially Dr. Rajiv Khanna, Dr. Veronica Silva, and Dr. Inderbir Singh. A special thanks to sister-in-law Maggie Likavec for all her additional assistance with the family care. At Fred's request, in lieu of flowers, a donation to your favourite charity in his memory is appreciated. A cremation was held, and his ashes will be placed with the family resting place in St. Catharines. An immediate family tribute and celebration of life will be held at a later date.