After a long and courageous battle with CBD, Dennis (Denny) Eric Frazer, 71, passed away early Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Sandringham Centre in Victoria, BC.
Dennis is predeceased by his father, Eric Frances Frazer, and leaves behind his mother, Phyllis Valda Frazer. He also leaves behind four children, Cindy (Peter) Whatmough, Scott (Letitia) Frazer, Bonnie (Gordon) O’Neill, and Heather Frazer; his brother Gordon (Jodie) Frazer; his sister Jane (Doug) Newman, as well as his nephews Kris (Katie) Newman and Eric Frazer, and nieces Megan (Chansa) Mbao and Claire (Jon) Helm, as well as many other extended family members and friends.
Dennis was born on August 15, 1940 in Edmonton, Alberta and lived there until school age at which time the family relocated to Peace River where Dennis spent a large portion of his early school years. He had great fondness for this period of his life. He later moved back to Edmonton where he attended McKearnen Junior High School, before moving onto Old Scona Composite High School, Westglen School, and finally graduating from Ross Sheppard High School as class president. Dennis also had many fond memories of summers spent with family and friends on Pigeon Lake in Alberta.
Dennis attended the University of Alberta, where he obtained a degree in Zoology. He also belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and sang in their choir. He then went on to study dentistry at the University of Alberta and the University of Manitoba. While in Dental School at U of A, Dennis participated in the University Naval Training Division (UNTD) Cornwallis and was awarded Best 1st Year Cadet.
Upon graduation from dental school, Dennis relocated to Victoria where he ran a successful dental practice from 1967 to 1970, before returning to university at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School to become an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon. Dennis returned to Victoria upon graduation and practised from 1975 until 2005, when his illness forced him to retire early. Dennis loved his work and always said he would practice until “they carried him out”. Dennis held positions as Vice President of the BC Dental Association and President of the BC Society of Oral Surgeons.
Dennis married Denise Warholm in 1967. They were married for 18 years and shared 4 beautiful children.
Dennis was a frequent lecturer for Camosun College’s Dental Hygiene program, which he loved. Subsequently, when faced with early retirement, Dennis pursued a life long dream of teaching, and began teaching for the University of British Columbia School of Dentistry. He was only able to act in this capacity for a couple years, but thoroughly enjoyed the time he had in this role.
Dennis was an athlete that over the years excelled in a variety of sports including football, golf, and skiing. Right up until his illness struck, Dennis could be found rollerblading, biking and downhill skiing. He loved to be outdoors either in the mountains or on the water. Dennis also possessed a passion for travel and in the final chapter of his life managed to visit many countries on his “bucket list”. His only disappointments being that he did not make it to Russia and was never able to make the Trans-Canada train ride.
Dennis was a vital man that will be missed for his sense of humour and passion for life.
The family would like to thank Sandringham Care Centre for the incredible care and support they provided. They also wish to thank Dr. Arguash, Dr. Gheis, Dr. MacMillan and Dr. Biglow.
A Celebration of Life will be held at McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Vancouver & Johnson Streets, on Sunday January 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow in McCall’s Family Centre. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Brain Research Centre, 2211 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, or at www.brain.ubc.ca. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Kim Harbottle
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Cathy I was saddened to read about Dennis in the paper today. I helped with his care while he was living in his beautiful home in Qualicum. It was an absolute pleasure coming to work everyday, and an honor to take care of him. He will be sadly missed by all. My condolences are with all of his family and friends.
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Rennie and Ruth Warburton After we immigrated from England and Switzerland, Dr. Frazer became our first dentist in Canada, and we were some of his first patients in Victoria. He was a wonderful, caring and generous man who turned dreaded visits to the dentist into pleasant experiences. We watched him and his cute assistant fall in love and get married. Then we expected our first babies around the same time. We can still hear Dr. Frazer’s triumphant “we beat you – and she’s a little redhead!”
Had we known of his cruel illness (and his sweet tooth!), we would have loved to visit him at the hospital and bring him some Swiss chocolate.
Dr. Frazer was an exceptional man. We are saddened by his death, and our sincerest condolences are with his family.
Rennie and Ruth Warburton
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Chad Hoskins My condolences to Bonnie, Heather, Cindy and Scott. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I will always remember the amazing times we shared up at Shawnigan Lake as kids and how much fun it was to be around Dennis. I’ll be thinking of you guys and hope that we get a chance to catch up in the near future.
Take care, Chad Hoskins and family.
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Krissy Jensen Thinking of your family, especially today Heather. I can only imagine how your life has changed with this tradgety. Cherish memories and live by his example and all will be as it should. I love you Hezy!
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Dr Donald Lloyd & Avril O'Sullivan Dennis and I have been friends for years, and it was sad to hear of his passing. I know he did not enjoy the last few years, but we will always remember the good times we had. Avril and I enjoyed our visits to the Island and spending time with Dennnis. Our thoughts are with you all. Sorry we missed the celebration.
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Roberta Kubik To Heather and Family,
Very sorry to hear of your Father’s death. It has been nice to read the wonderful comments about him and what a lasting memory he is with the many people he touched. Heather, now I see where your wit , good humour, flair for the joie de vivre and beautiful smile comes from.
My sincere condolences to you and the extended Frazer family.
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Frank H. Harreman My heartfelt condolences to the family of Dennis. We shared many good professional memories. Dennis brought advanced oral and maxillofacial surgery to Victoria and he was instrumental in expanding the scope of our specialty. My hat off to him for a life lived with impact!
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Frances Fitzgerald (Edmonton) Dear Mrs. Phyllis Frazer, Jane, Gordon,and the rest of the Frazer family: I quietly read Dennis’ obituary this morning and I think fondly of the ‘Frazer family’ that I have known from the white house across the street in Edmonton. I have many memories of the entire family and I send my condolences. My Father, Frank, still lives in his house, and many a time I have sat at the couch in the front room and looked over to your old house and remember a home that I was always welcomed into. I know that Mr and Mrs Frazer were very proud of Dennis, and even though he moved away he was still ever present – as he will be for you all. I am teaching at Ross Sheppard High and I will look for his class picture. Blessings filled with hope to you all.
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Sandy Ascott My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. I was a patient of his for several years. Dr. Frazer always treated me with great compassion and was a superb surgeon who knew his limitations. He was always a man with much integrity and he had a wonderful sense of humour. I know that the community will be sharing in your loss.
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Kathy Fletcher Well I know Dennise will be missed by all. And I will always remember him for the great work he did on my jaw when I was in my 20’s. My prayers and thoughts are with the family.
from kathy in Vancouver BC
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Dr. Jean -Louis(John) Ares & Mena Ares We were saddened at the news of Denny’s recent passing away. What a beautiful obituary in the Edmonton Journal. What a miserable disease that cortico-basal degeneration is! We hope Denny and his family did not suffer too much with this degenerative and debilitating condition. Denny was part of our Class of 1965 at the Faculty of Dentistry at the U. of A. I shall always remember Denny and his smile, his wit , good humor, and joie de vivre. We had some good times as dental students and especially at dental undergrad parties. We shall all miss him and fondly remember the nice memories and souvenirs. Sincere condolences to Denny’s family , his children, his mother, brother and sister. May all the good memories of his life sustain you in your upcoming many hours of loss and loneliness. God bless you all.In Love and In Sorrow.
John and Mena Ares.Class of ’65.
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Hartley Nash Cindy, Scott, Bonnie, Heather and extended family.
We are so very sorry for the loss of your Dad, Dennis. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
We pray for family friends to comfort you, faith to uphold you, and the loving memories of your dad to help you all smile again. Your dad’s big, beautiful smile lives on in all of you.
Lots of love and hugs to you all
Hartley, Alexandra and Cameron
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kathryn kusyszyn Many condolences to you and your family Heather.
May you find peace in your happy memories and joy and comfort in each other.
Hugs from Kathryn
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Kiran & Richard Veerapen Dear Cindy and Jane,
Our sincere condolences. We can not imagine your pain at this time of loss but our thoughts are with you. We pray and hope that the loss of your Dad and brother will be softened by the happy memories of shared experiences.
With love
Kiran & Richard
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Mike and Sheila Bradley So sorry. Thinking of you all.
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Brian Duncan I had the pleasure of meeting Dennis and his father during the renovation and development of 906 St. Charles Street in the early 80’s. Dennis and I spoke many times and I remember meeting his children on a couple of occasions. I kept in touch over the years and later on Dennis performed surgery on my mouth due to injuries suffered during my hockey goaltending days. We always shared the memories of our glory days and had a good laugh, always referring to the fact we were both ‘legends in our own minds’. Quick wit, great sense of humour, always outgoing, a good guy….that’s how I remember Dennis and I’ll miss him. I’m sorry for your loss and hope all the memories of his life with you bring smiles to your faces.
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Marnee Lee To Cindy, Scott, Bonnie and Heather,
thinking of you all and remembering
many happy times.
Marnee and family
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Lisa Mackin Cindy, my thoughts are with you at this heartbreaking moment in your life. What a lovely tribute to your Dad – wonderful to learn more about him. Huge hugs from all the Mackin’s.
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Donna Clements, MD I am so sorry for your loss
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Gayle Miskosky My sincerest condolences at this difficult time. Praying for comfort and peace for your family. Bless you!
hello there, i had major surgery done by dr. frazer years and years ago. i had to have my jaw surgically broken by dr. frazer because he wanted to correct a bad overbite that i had. when i found out that dr. frazer had passed away, i had to write this note. all of my thoughts and prayers go to his family at this difficult time