August 31, 1943 – January 1, 2014
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fred Aberle who left us New Years Day at his home in Victoria after succumbing to a lengthy series of complicated health issues. Fred was born in Timmons, Ontario on August 31, 1943. He is survived by his wife Faye; sisters Carol Latendresse and Marie Tidd; in-laws Alan Pritchard and Laurine Didier, Lorraine Pritchard and Stan Phillips, Lynne and Wayne Sanderson; plus nieces, nephews and the host of lifelong friends too numerous to mention in this small space.
Fred left an impression on virtually everyone he met throughout his teaching career and in his second calling as a highly successful pharmaceutical representative. He was a keen competitor, a compassionate mentor, a gifted storyteller, a connoisseur of fine wine and a music lover. His immense generosity knew no bounds. Above all, he was a devoted and loving husband to Faye, whom he met in 1967 while they were both teaching in Deloraine, Manitoba. They wed the following year. When Faye contracted Multiple Sclerosis in the early eighties, Fred embarked on a new path as that of her healthcare champion. This became his lifelong priority eclipsing even his own health issues that surfaced in recent years. He will be remembered always as a devoted husband, a stand-out neighbour and loyal friend.
The family wishes to especially acknowledge and thank both Alison Lockhart, for being a friend and advocate in Fred’s time of need, and the staff of Beacon Community Services for the love, care and compassion they have provided.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at McCall’s Downtown,1400 Vancouver Street, Victoria, BC on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association would be appreciated. Condolences may be expressed to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com.
55 Responses
Dear Faye and family,
I met Freddy and Faye in Tudor Village (Winnipeg), where they were my neighbours. In fact, they lived in the apartment above me. We shared many wonderful times , and I especially remember Freddy insisting that everyone meet at Boston Pizza on Pembina, where his favourite pizza was the Great White North ! I will miss Fred’s jokes and stories, but I will especially miss his giving ,and caring nature.
Faye, my thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.
(Sr) Kathleen Tomecko.
Dear Faye
I was saddened with the news of Fred’s passing. Fred was a person who liked to put a smile on everyone’s face. It was a pleasure knowing Fred over the last 30 years. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Scott Nelson
Dear Faye and Family:
Anita and I want you to know how much we cherished our time with Fred and you Faye over these many years in Victoria. He clearly added so much to all our lives and he will be missed by us all. As the days ahead come into our lives and from time to time we reflect on the moments he provided us his warmth and tenderness, it will remind us of the gift he truly was. Now it is time to say goodbye as we extend our deepest condolence to all and especially you Faye. May God bless and keep you in His arms, Fred.
Frank & Anita Hawboldt
Dear Faye and loving family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss and want to extend our deepest sympathies. I have so many great memories to share. Here are just a few . . .
It was 1974, my first day as a teacher, and I was at R.D. Parker Collegiate. The whole day was a whirlwind . . . one that concluded with a trip to ‘the library’ for a drink . . . via a shopping cart being pushed by none other than Freddie Aberle. This is a true story. How he convinced me to get into that shopping cart in the parking lot is way beyond me, but that was the charisma of Freddie.
He was one of the most welcoming people at RDPC, and also one of the funniest, loudest and politically opinionated . His warm, gentle, and loving wife, Faye, stood by his side and was very patient when Freddie would invite us to their home after the pubs closed. I was grateful that he and Faye took ‘this American’ under their collective wings and included me in the group that would soon become my lifelong friends.
Freddie was a gregarious truth-teller who taught me a colorful litany of descriptive words that still serve me well. I can clear a room in minutes! He talked to everyone in earnest, and was the happiest when he had an audience to work off. Freddie was a great storyteller and philosopher. Over the years we have had some very long phone calls where we solved the problems of the world . . . or at least we thought we did.
I loved it most when Freddie and Faye visited me in Chicago. Freddie was so charming . . . he even coaxed a smile out of a Chicago cop. Later on I got to introduce Freddie and Faye to my husband when we visited them in Victoria, BC. Ken was thoroughly entertained by Freddie and captivated by Faye. I was so happy that they got to enjoy one another’s company and that Ken got to meet two of my very good friends. Freddie will be sadly missed. Our hearts go out to Faye and to all his friends and family.
Sincerely, Darrelyn (Brawders) Marx and Ken Marx
Dear Faye and family,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Fred’s passing. He was a good friend and a good man and will be missed. He was truly one of a kind and I am grateful for the opportunity to have known him and to have been his friend and colleague.
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Dan
Dear Faye, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to you and Fred’s entire family. I always cherished my field visits with Fred, a true professional that enjoyed his vocation. My thoughts are with you at this trying time.
George Butt, Halifax, NS
Dear Faye – I am very saddened and sorry to have heard the passing of Fred and I know no words can fill the void he has left. My prayers are with you. Fred will never be forgotten. His love of people, his ability to make you feel special no matter what level of society you came from, and his endless stories and jokes made him a person you wanted to be around. Freddy Frost as I would like to refer to him taught me the gift of connecting with people. He was a friend, a colleague and a coach. Fred made everyone he touched feel special and this gift was genuine. I like the picture you chose. It’s truly the Freddy we loved and will remember. Fred
Dear Faye and Family:
We were really saddened to hear of Freds’ passing. After working with Fred for over 30 years, mainly in the Frosst side of Merck, we became very good friends. He was gregarious and at meetings always gave me inspiration to do better. Not only for the company, but for my family. He was always concerned about my daughter Paige and how she was doing. I feel I have lost a great friend who always championed the underdog.
Hugs to you Faye and our love,
Byron and Mary Howard
Dear Faye and family – My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I consider myself privileged to have known Fred and to have had him take me “under his wing” when I moved to Victoria. I learned so much from Fred and had so many good memories of working with him and getting to know both of you over my time out West.
God bless you and your family.
Greig Estabrooks
Dear Faye: I am very saddened by our loss. Fred was my friend as well as a colleague and was the best at his profession. It was a privilege to work with him, laugh with him, and learn from him. He had remarkably innovative ideas and had the commitment to follow through with his personal touch. As he always said, – and he had many sayings – ” Computers don’t sell; people do.” I’ll miss him deeply. I am currently out of the country but my thoughts are with you and your family. Sincerely, Lucretia.
Lucretia van den Berg MD FRCPC