June 21, 1922 – August 6, 2009
The Colonel has joined his beloved RMC, PPCLI and RRegtC comrades. His wife of 61 years, Margaret (nee Cabeldu) is comforted by their children Norman, Janet, Catherine and their 7 grandchildren. He is survived by his brother, Robert and sister, Vyvyan. Many thanks to Dr. A. Nielson, Sunrise, RJH Richmond Pavilion and the Lodge at Broadmead. Although born in St. John’s, his father’s career in the Bank of Nova Scotia took them across Canada for his education at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon and later Saint John High School. The abbreviated 1942 RMC officer’s course sent “2761” with the PPCLI to Italy and the Netherlands. Twice wounded in action, the miraculous Basingstoke surgery held for a lifetime. After marrying Margaret in Saint John, they moved to Toronto where he graduated from Osgoode Hall in 1949 and they started a family. He practiced law with Tilley Carson but later opened his own firm in 1953 achieving Queen’s Counsel in 1960. Partner and friend, Alan Redway joined the practice in 1966. In 1947 he began a reservist career with the Royal Regiment of Canada. His years as Commanding Officer 1959-62 rebuilt the regiment. In 1981 as Hon. Col. 1974-1982 they attended the Royal Wedding. Beyond his lifelong service to the PPCI and RMC, he served Mercedes Benz, Havergal College, and the Royal Canadian Military Institute. After the Granite Club moved closer to their Bayview Wood home, Col. Frost regularly reviewed the dining room menu from his usual seat. He revisited the graves of his WWII comrades on many pilgrimages and cherished his European friendships. In his retirement years he wrote Once a Patricia (1988), A Life Worthwhile (1994) and Always a Patricia (2004). They loved playing tennis, swimming and hosting family in Long Boat Key and PEI. Striving for excellence was his lifelong pursuit as an athlete, soldier, lawyer, author or musician. He was astonished when bands played his military marches and delighted his grandchildren by composing songs.
Private burial in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.
A Celebration of the life of Col. C. S. (Syd) Frost will be held on Saturday, October 3 at 3:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Military Institute, 426 University Ave, Toronto, ON. tel: 416-597-0286.
31 Responses
I was saddened to hear of Col. Frost’s passing. Although I did not know him or his family, I wish them well in their time of grief. I have just completed his memoir “Once a Patricia” which I thought to be one of the best written yet hard to find books about WWII. He was as great a writer as he was a soldier. A rare combination. May he Rest in Peace with all the brothers of his regiment that have passed before him.
please accept my deepest sympathies,, on the passing of Mr. Frost,, my father (Mel Murdy) served under him during WW2,, and spoke of him with the deepest respect. May your memories bring you comfort and happiness.
I used to teach Sydney at the Granite Club. Very, very early in the morning. I was astonished at his energy, as he was around 60 at the time. H
Being a world war two buff, I was delighted to be entertained by some of Sydneys stories. I cannot do justice to his story about how he obtained the huge scar on his neck, but I remember it being a very compelling event.
It was a privilege to have spent some early mornings with this great man.
Mrs. Frost,
I had the privilege of knowing Col Frost when I much younger, as a subaltern in the Royals. I remember the visits to your home and the great guidance and advice he shared with me and my brother officers. I remember that advice and the fellowship that he extended to me.
I have not forgotten him, nor will I ever.
I have had very pleasant contacts with Colonel Sydney Frost during many years. I too wondered why he did not send a Christmas card last year. Only this morning I found out the reason. In one of his last letters he wrote to me: “We’ll meet again in 2010.” That would be to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.
Things took a different turn and a long and rich life came to an end. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Warm condolences to Mrs. Frost and her family.
We are talking about the Colonel and I said to my husband I missed one christmass card. And we are looking on the internet pages and he is passing away. I am very proud to have his books and take care of them.
I will never forget him. God bless you, C Sydney Frost.
Our sincere and warm thoughts to all the family.
Bertina Ronald Rick Jonker – Ham
Beekbergen
Holland
We are sad to loose any Pat and especially Col Frost. We enjoyed his company in Toronto and Dinner at the Granite Club.
Our sincere and warm thoughts to all the family.
Pte Lloyd Rains & War Bride Olga
Warm condolences to Syd Frost’s family .He was my student at Seneca College where he attended many of my Italian language courses.He was a wonderful student , bright, hard working, keen to learn as much as possible.With his thoughtful comments and wise suggestions , he made me, a grizzled veteran of classroom
battles, a better teacher. He loved Italy ,in particular the places he traversed during the ww2 Italian campaign. He taught me a lot about the war and life in general.He was a true gentleman. I will miss him. I will never forget him. God bless you, Syd.
Dear Margaret,
My deepest sympathy with Sydney’s passing away. I have great admiration for his activities as a soldier ansn a veteran. His books are a valuable souvenir . Ann and I will always remember his and your hospitality. We will miss him!
Andrew and Ann Gijsbers
I have just returned home to learn from e-Veritas that Col Syd Frost had died and that I had missed a celebration of his life at the RCMI. We first met when I moved to Toronto in ’67 at the Toronto Branch RMC Club where he was President. Quick-witted, easy to smile, a gentleman and charismatic leader! It was a pleasure to know him and I missed him from our Branch Dinners when he moved to BC.
I’m active again as a Director of the Toronto Branch (Syd would expect that). His family must know what a remarkable man he was but they can’t know all the lives he touched so positively. My deepest sympathy to the family.