Stuart Fraser

FRASER, Stuart Loving Husband, Father, Grandad, Friend & Mentor to many, Stuart passed away at the age of 89, on November 25, 2018. Stu was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1929. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife Lilian, sons: Ian (Barb), Colin (Crystal), Bradley (Jacquie), as well as his three grandchildren Hunter (Catie), Adrienne and William. Stu will be also be missed by many friends including Alastair Mulholland, Alec Provan, Kevin Walker, Nial McNaughton and countless snooker opponents. Immigrating to Canada in 1953 Stu worked many jobs and eventually found himself in Cinema, BC where he met and later married Lilian. Stuart & Lilian bought and operated Cinema Service (gas station; general store; post office; coffee shop; cabins; and a movie theatre!). Lilian also taught the local kids (grades 1 to 8) in a one-room schoolhouse. They moved to Quesnel in the early 60s and started their family. Stu also established a successful digging contracting company in Quesnel installing sewer and water systems for many small towns in the Cariboo. The family moved to Victoria in 1967 and Stu obtained work at Oak Bay Public Works where he remained for 20 years, ultimately retiring as the Assistant Superintendent. Stu founded the Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society in the mid-seventies and was always a little embarrassed when former Mayor, Brian Smith, referred to it at many official functions as Oak Bay's Navy. Stu was involved in some 800 marine incidents over 22 years; the Oak Bay Police Board presented him with the Award of Merit for saving two people who went overboard in heavy seas when their sailboat capsized. Stu obtained a Master Mariner's Certificate and operated and maintained a fleet of charter vessels for the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Stu skippered the Pride of Victoria on hundreds of whale-watching and dinner cruises over many years. Stu and Lilian took to the road in their RV and frequented Alaska, the Yukon & NWT where they dipped their toes in the Arctic Ocean! A year long trip took Mum & Dad across Canada where they shipped their motor home to the UK, then onto Europe and eventually home again across the USA. Stu was a mechanic by trade; he was a tinkerer and loved to get his mind & hands busy fixing anything. His workshop was a meticulous place; he had every tool imaginable and a home for each one. He took great pride in his three grandchildren and enjoyed their company whether he told stories, played games or teased them. Stu battled CLL (leukemia) since 2008 as well as a multitude of other cancers but did not let his health matters bring him down. He was a frequent patron of the Snug and an avid snooker player at the Monterey Senior's Centre. His motto "mustn't grumble" kept him going. Stu was simply genuine, a man of great experiences, knowledge and wonderful stories. The family would like to thank Drs. Kinnahan, Bieberdorf & Tiislar and the wonderful nurses at 4S RJH for making Stu's last days comfortable. A toast to his life will be held in The Snug (date TBA). In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Cancer Foundation or the Victoria Prostate Centre would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com