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Nigel H.H. FRAWLEY

1936 - 2020

Nigel H.H. FRAWLEY obituary, 1936-2020, Toronto, ON

BORN

1936

DIED

2020

Nigel FRAWLEY Obituary

NIGEL H.H. FRAWLEY June 7, 1936 - January 22, 2020 It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Nigel Harvey Hugh Frawley, on January 22, 2020. Nigel is survived by his wife Lynn, his sons Douglas and Jamie (Johanna) and his two grandchildren, Thea and Harrison. He was predeceased by his sisters Francis Ezrin and Barbara Dubuc. Nigel will be fondly remembered by his half-brother Harvey Harrison (Sally) in Wimbledon, England, by his first wife Heather Grant, and by his extended family Barb, Thea, Alexa, Stephen and Chris, his many nieces and nephews and a wide network of friends and colleagues. Born in London, England in 1936, Nigel was brought to Canada as a young child by his mother, Elizabeth, to escape the London bombings. Nigel grew up in Hudson, Quebec and attended Ridley College. He went on to attend the Royal Military College where he decided to pursue a career in the Canadian Navy. In 1954 he was appointed Midshipman RCN. One of his first deployments was aboard the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent in 1957 when it was sent to the Mediterranean as part of the UN Emergency Force during the Suez Crisis. At age 21, it was there that he experienced his first active participation in ground combat. Nigel studied at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, England and trained as a Canadian naval officer with the Royal Navy in submarine warfare. In 1968, he was appointed Lieutenant-Commander, RCN and oversaw the commissioning of Canada's newest submarine, the HMCS Okanagan, at Chatham, England. After conducting trials out of Faslane, Scotland, in the summer of 1968 with Nigel in command, the HMCS Okanagan crossed the Atlantic and arrived to a great welcoming reception at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Halifax. After 15 years of service, Nigel retired from the navy to pursue a career in law. At age 33, he was accepted at the University of Toronto Law School and graduated in 1972. He joined the law firm of McMillan, Binch specializing in Admiralty Law. He later became a partner at Paterson, MacDougall and subsequently Meighen Demers in Toronto and altogether spent the next three decades practising marine and travelling extensively throughout the world lecturing and giving papers. Nigel argued cases before all levels of Canada's admiralty courts including the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1993, he was appointed Chair of the Canadian Maritime Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and President of the Canadian Maritime Law Association in 1996. He also served on the executive of the Comite Maritime International. Nigel loved spending time with family and friends, discussing politics, history and sharing stories and jokes over dinner and drinks. In earlier days, he was an avid skier and golfer and enjoyed summer weekends at the cottage in Georgian Bay with family and his beloved springer spaniel, Marty. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Nigel's devoted caregiver, Josie Trabucon, for her loving care and friendship over the last three years. The family is also grateful to the staff at Bridgepoint Hospital for their compassionate care and support. A service in celebration of Nigel's life will be held at The Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. with reception to follow. Condolences and remembrances may be sent to www.etouch.ca.

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

Published by The Globe and Mail from Jan. 25 to Jan. 29, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Nigel FRAWLEY

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19 Entries

Drew MacDonald

February 27, 2020

The "Frawley Light" has a quality all of it's own.

Drew MacDonald
Charlie Oscar
HMCS OKANAGAN SS74
(20 Years After Nigel brought the Boat to life.)

4259 Skip Sears

February 10, 2020

Nigel and I met as Recruits at RMC in 1954 and we were close friends until he left after Second Year to pursue his seafarer's dream.

We reconnected years later in Toronto and met from time to time for social and RMC get togethers.

When I met with Nigel at Bridgepoint Hospital his entusiasm and positive outlook on life were, as always, upbeat. He will be missed.

On behalf of RMC'58, my wife Ann and I extend our deepest sympathy to Lynn,Douglas and Jamie and Heather.

Bob Mackay

February 7, 2020

I was a member of the wardroom in HMCS OKANAGAN. Most of us had never met Nigel until he took command. He was a terrific CO, and we were much in awe of his extensive time in RN boats before he joined OKANAGAN. There was never a moment when I doubted we were in good hands.
Nigel was sorely missed when he couldn't make it to the OK's 50th anniversary two years ago.
Heartfelt condolences to Nigel's family.

George Jackson

February 4, 2020

Further to my photo of the three of us;
Nigel was Best Man at my wedding in England having travelled from Canada with Colin Curleigh. My only family in attendance in that faraway country. A true friend and brother in arms at my time of need and beyond. May his crossing of the bar been a peaceful one.

England, 1958: me Nige and Curl

George Jackson

February 4, 2020

February 4, 2020

Lynn, Harvey, Douglas,Jamie and Heather

Connie and I regret that we won't be able to be with you on friday but we wanted to extend our condolences to you .
We remember fondly all the great times we 've had together with Nigel over the years - his charm ,sense of humour and lovely chuckle .
Our thoughts will be with you

Connie and Jamie Wright

February 2, 2020

R.I.P.
I remember well a young Lieutenant Nigel Frawley R.C.N. serving in a British manned submarine HM S/M AURIGA [1962-5] Based on Halifax NS. He was a very popular officer, well liked and respected, with a ready smile, a willing ear and an endearing manner. We got up to many things including attending the scene of the worst submarine disaster ever when the USS THRESHER was lost off Cape Cod in April 1963. Overall, happy memories of those days of long ago. Goodbye and God bless.
G.DYKES Senior Radio Man
Bury St Edmunds Suffolk UK

Andy Lovasi

February 1, 2020

I had the pleasure of serving under Nigel on the Okanagan. I was a young ordinary seaman but he always showed me respect. To this day I will always remember how he discussed my family history in regards to our time through the Hungarian revolution in 1956. God bless his soul.

Ken King

January 31, 2020

I had the honour of sailing with Nigel when he was Commanding Officer of H.M.C.S. Okanagan after commissioning. He was a true gentleman and a excellant Submarine Commnder. Rest in Peace, Sir

January 31, 2020

Nigel was my cousin and I first met him when he visited myself and my Mother in the UK when I was a child. He was a glamorous Canadian Naval Cadet! Since then over the years we have met at times when he visited his UK family. I will never forget my funny, intelligent and charming cousin. May you rest in peace Nigel. Julia Currie x

January 28, 2020

A true gentleman and the best of company. I have many fond memories of him from my CMI days. May he rest in peace.

Brian J. McGovern. Dublin

January 27, 2020

Our sincere sympathy to Lynn and family and to Heather.

When Lyle and I first came to Toronto, close to 50 years ago, we moved into a fourplex on Chaplin Crescent. The former tenants were Nigel and Heather. They made us feel so very welcome to this NEW BIG city Toronto.

If this is what people are like in Toronto, well then, WE WILL LOVE this new home.

I will never forgot their kindness. Peace to you Nigel .

Ann and Lyle Hepburn

Hal Watson

January 27, 2020

I remember Nigel fondly from his CMI activities and interaction with the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He was a charming man, and extremely well respected within the international maritime legal community. He will be sorely missed.

Hal Watson

January 25, 2020

So many memories from 50+ years ago, including being in his first wedding party.

He was a lovely man - gentle, thoughtful and he had an excellent sense of humour.

Living on the West Coast, we hadn't seen him since the 80's, but I have always had a soft spot in my heart for him.

Our condolences to Douglas and Jamie, and Heather.

Anne and Jay MacAulay

January 25, 2020

I value my friendship with all the Frawleys as one of the precious treasures of my life. They lived across the road from us in Westmount.
Nigel's mother Gip was especially close to us and was my rock while I was bringing up my 5 children. She worked with my husband in real estate and her children Frances, Barbara and Nigel were all close to us. On his visits home, Nigel would amuse us with stories of his life at sea as we enjoyed drinks together. He was always smiling and there was much laughter when he was around. It's sad now the Frawleys are all gone. I offer my condolences to his wife Lynn and family.

Sincerely, Tessa Borner

Heidi Borner

January 25, 2020

Nigel and his mother, Gip, and sisters Fran and Barbara were constants in our family life growing up in Westmount, Montreal. As a child, I saw Nigel as caring, patient, a fascinating story-teller, and one to relish a good political discussion. He was Santa for us for a number of years, and I remember clearly at age 4 recognising him. I was delighted that Nigel was Santa, but my brother and I decided not to ruin Christmas for my parents who clearly believed Nigel was the real Santa, so with a wink the three of us played along. It was a memory I hold dear. I moved away and hadn't seen him very often- the last time was when he spoke at my father's Celebration of Life. Great stories. All our Frawleys have now left this mortal coil but they will be forever in my heart. Love and hugs to his family.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results

Memorial Events
for Nigel FRAWLEY

Feb

7

Celebration of Life

11:30 a.m.

The Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre

ON