August 19, 1913 – August 23, 2010
Fred passed away peacefully in Victoria, B.C. four days after his 97th birthday. Fred was born in Dobrota, Dalmatia, in 1913. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 65 years, Hilde; his daughter Susan; his son-in law, Charles and his two grandsons, Alexander and David Volkovskis. He is lovingly remembered by many more family and friends.
Fred had a full and varied life. The only child of a university linguistics professor he was born into an old distinguished shipping family. Naturally, academics and adventure shaped his life from early years. He sailed around the world when he was only seventeen..
Fred studied in Breslau, Germany and Zagreb, Croatia. With an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Fred conducted world-class theoretical research with Siemens in Berlin. He later moved to Vienna, Austria and led teams installing high-voltage power systems for Alpen Electrowerk. This is where he met his wife Hilde. Fred and Hilde married in Graz in 1945 and emigrated to Canada in 1949. They lived mostly in Toronto but Fred worked as a Professional Engineer throughout Canada for the Canadian General Electric, the Toronto Township Hydro and Ontario Hydro as Senior Design/Chief Engineer. They moved to Victoria in 2000 to be closer to their daughter and her family.
Fred was a devoted husband to the constant love of his life, Hilde; a wise and wonderful father to his daughter, Susan; and a very proud and loving grandfather. Fred’s brilliant wit and his charming sense of humour put a smile on the faces of everyone who knew him. He was a master story-teller with a large inventory of personal tales. He was a true renaissance man: mathematician, musician, world-class rower, artist, photographer, cook, wood-worker and philosopher. He was the proud patriarch of his family and his passing leaves a void in all our lives. However, we take strength from the courage and dignity he displayed through the hardest of times.
Special thanks to the nurses, techs and care-aides who helped to make his last few years more enjoyable.
A Prayer Service will be held at McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnson and Vancouver Streets at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday , August 31, 2010. A Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral Blanshard and View Streets in Victoria. Burial will follow at Ross Bay Cemetery.
Leave Condolence