Fred passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 31, two months shy of his 90th Birthday at Grove Park Home in Barrie, due to complications from Covid and Dementia after winning a battle with Cancer a few years ago.
Born on April 15, 1933 in Toronto, Fred grew up in South Etobicoke then lived in The Westway, Weston, Bolton then Nobleton. He will be greatly missed by his wife Mary. Loving father of Margaret Johnston and her husband David, Jane Strong and her husband David and John Ewart and his wife Patricia Fortier. Cherished grandfather of David Johnston Jr., Elsa Johnston-Butt and her husband Dylan, Mitchell Strong and his wife Jennifer Strong, and Matthew Strong. Beloved great-grandfather of Peyton Butt who Fred met and spent some time with, with another great-granddaughter on the way. Loving brother to Doreen Dodds, her husband Bill, their daughter Susan Hopper & husband Terry Hopper, and Ken Ewart and his wife Marge.
Fred was a Teacher, Vice-Principal then Principal for the North York Board of Education working at almost a dozen schools from 1955-1990, with degrees from the University of Toronto and McMaster University. Fred was a tireless community organizer & leader – he was the co-founder of both the Westway United Church Men’s Ball Team & the Westway Bridge Club, and founder of both the Weston Inter-Church Softball League & the Caledon Seniors Men’s Golf Group (which celebrates the winner of the ‘Fred-Ex’ Cup each year in his honour).
Friends and loved ones are invited to a funeral service at Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Saturday February 4th at 3 o’clock, with a reception there following the service.
The family invites those who wish to view the service to do so through live streaming at
https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=3d36c9f5-6a32-48b1-8897-9391c28713d0
You can view the service live at the time scheduled or you can view it at a more convenient time for you.
You will be required to register for the service and then they will immediately send you an email with the actual link to the service. Please check your junk or spam inbox if you don’t receive the email with the actual link..
If you experience any issues or have questions in regards to the live streaming, please feel free to contact Forget Me Not Ceremonies at 1-877-895-2739. If you need to leave a message on their answering machine, they will return your call promptly.
Memorial donations may be made in Fred’s memory to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (https://thepmcf.ca) who were tireless in helping Fred beat Cancer, or to Grove Park Long Term Care Home in Barrie, who took incredible care of Dad over the past year and a half (http://www.groveparkhome.on.ca).
Condolences, memories and stories may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com and will be sent to Fred’s family.
Lennie Ellis
I express my deepest sympathy in this time of sorrow. May you be comforted by the promise the Bible gives that your loved one will soon live again in a peaceful paradise on the earth where death will be no more. (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Revelation 21:4)
Michelle Sarkic
David, Jane, Mitchell, Jennifer, Matthew and extended family; our sincere condolences on the loss of your father/grandfather. You all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May you hold dear all the wonderful memories you have and may Mr Ewart RIP
Sending love and big hugs,
Rob, Michelle, Natalie and Erik Sarkic XO
Mueeay Stewart
Dear Mary
It was an honour to have known Fred and be in his company with you . Your love and patience were so remarkable and helpful. May Fred rest in peace and may his stories and laughter echo from room to room in his spiritual home.
Blessings to you and your Family Mary
With Love and understanding
Murray
Don & Claudette Dalgleish
Fred was a great “Energizing “Friend . Fred enjoyed and met many challenges during his tenure as head of the Caledon Seniors Activity Program. Claudette and I do send Mary and Family our most sincere condolences.
Richard and Marian Kennedy
Mary, we remember you and Fred from way back when you lived in Weston, we were friends of Stan and Bev Mallon and spent time with both of you. We are sorry to hear of Fred’s passing.
Richard and Marian
Diane Burton
Fred and Mary were backyard neighbours of ours on the north hill.
Jack and I enjoyed many “over the fence” conversations with Fred.
Sending our condolences to Mary and their family.
Diane Ewart Burton
Jean Kapusta
So sorry to learn of the passing of Fred. My sincere sympathy to Mary, Margaret, Jean and John and the rest of the family.
May the memories of the good times you had with Fred be with you all.
Jean
Dianne Holba Hinton
Such happy memories of Mr Ewart at bridge club family events- his enthusiasm and sheer joy always shone brightly. So sorry for your loss
Robert w Martin
Mary, our condolences to you on the passing of Fred ..We were privileged to be a friend of both you and Fred. Bob and Joan Martin
Maureen Jutras
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. I know his illness has been long and a difficult time for you both. My deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of this remarkable man.
Trudy Burnside
So very sorry to hear of the loss of Fred. We remember him & his lovely smile at Bolton United. Deepest sympathy from Grant, Trudy, Jeanette & Carter Burnside
Dale Brum
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Ewart, my sincere condolences going to Jane and the entire family.
Hugs,
Dale
Deborah McKellar
Growing up as a “kid” of the Westway Bridge Club and Baseball Team was a great experience. My parents made wonderful life-long friendships with their baseball and bridge friends. They all knew how to have fun while also being supportive of each other in the tough moments of life. What a smile and laugh Fred had – he was full of energy and life, was a good organizer, and was very aware of the people around him, for example, always asking my siblings and me what we were up to when we saw him. I have many good memories to cherish. Love and light to you, Mary, and to your family as you grieve Fred’s passing. Deborah McKellar
Bob McKellar
Mary and family. Please accept my condolences on your loss. Fred was a person who had a positive influence on my life. He was a change agent. We met in the 1960’s while teaching at Beverly Heights Junior High School. Fred was an exceptional history teacher who changed his students’ perception of the subject by bringing many innovative and interesting ways to motivate and challenge his students. He always had their trust and respect. I know this firsthand because his students often came directly to me after his class and they were still excited about their experience.
Fred also changed the direction of my life when he invited me to join the Westway senior men’s softball team. His organizational skills and his dedication for the team to succeed eventually evolved into the Westway Bridge Club which became a dominant and enjoyable part of my life for the next 50 years.
Fred was instrumental in ensuring the concept of friendship within bridge was a viable and workable goal. Whether it was baseball, the Argos, curling, bridge or golf, Fred was always there instigating new ways for people to get involved. A good friend – reliable, genuine and supportive. I wish him peace and a place at the front of the dugout. Bob
Jacqueline Hudson
Mary, Margaret, Jane, John, and Family,
Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. We are thinking of you and you family and sending caring thoughts your way to support you through this. May you find peace, comfort, and all the love you need in the days to come. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Love, Marsha and Jacqueline
Doreen forbes
What a guy. Ian and I have been blessed to have met you Mary and Fred at the Caledon Seniors Centre. Happy times all of us and the greatest memories. Love you Doreen Forbes
K. Connell
On behalf of the Connell family, we wish to extend our sympathies to the Ewart family.
It is sad to see another member of the Westway Ball Club and Westway Bridge Club leave us.
Like Jane and I, we echo the sentiments of both Deborah and Bob McKellar. As a teacher, I respect Fred’s way of organizing and keeping us together as a group for the Bridge club showers, bowling and other get togethers.
Rest in eternal peace Fred. God bless the Ewart family.
John MacDonald
What a wonderful photo of Fred …just the way I remember him. What a great sense of humour. Fred always made it fun to go to work at Daystrom PS. He always had the children’s interest top of the list but he also balanced work with fun. I will always remember the special days Fred organized for both staff and students whether it was beach day ,school shirt day or the staff golf tournament with that ugly lampshade “trophy”. Fred loved talking sports and particularly the Blue Jays and his favourite player Tony Fernandez. Many thanks Fred for the memories you built for me. I have the Blue Jays banner flying high on the flagpole.
Will Shields
Margaret, David & Family, I am sorry to hear of Fred’s recent passing. I have worked closely with Margaret, and my heart goes out to you.
I also pray a blessing of peace and the love of our Father in heaver over all of you. May we be reminded of what God said in 2 Corinthians ‘to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord’.
Hugs and much love from Will
Karen & John Miner
Dear Mary and Family,
Our condolences go out to you and your family. It was a wonderful experience knowing Fred who introduced me to the Caledon Seniors Golf group. Besides golfing he got me back into playing pool on a number of occasions. We enjoyed the numerous fish fries we were invited to. He will be sadly missed, but will have left many wonderful memories to us all.
Angie Stumpo
Margaret, my condolences go out to you and your family on your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers
Rodney Tee
Margaret, may you and your entire family find some comfort in the memories and tributes being shared with you by everyone your father’s life touched. Sending my condolences and prayers. May your dad rest in eternal peace.
Julie and Pat Strong
Our deepest condolences to all the family members for the loss of Fred. When our son David married Jane, Fred welcomed us into his family with open arms. Fred was always a very cheerful and friendly person. Always playing games and telling stories. Fred will be missed dearly by everyone that knew him. May he rest in peace.
Kerri Leslie
We are so sorry to hear about Fred’s passing. I have thought about Mary and Fred many times. I always had such a good laugh when they came in the store were I work. I always teased Fred about being out on a day pass. He had such a great sense of humor. I remember being invited to your home, and I will always cherish the memory. Mary, take care of yourself and may Fred rest in peace.
Julie McIntyre
Dear Mary–I’m very sorry to read of the death of your life partner. The past few years could not have been easy. I hope that the support of friends and family and the wonderful memories that you shared will help to fill the hole he’s left behind.
Sending warm thoughts and a big, virtual hug.
Emmeline Patton
Mary
I’m sad to learn of Fred’s passing. In recent years, I enjoyed “bumping into” you both at the Nobleton plaza, reminiscing with Fred about school days.
I have fond memories of teaching at Daystrom P.S. when Fred was vice-principal. He always had a smile, friendly demeanour and a positive outlook. We could count on him to organize a variety of fun events for the staff outside of school, as well as in- school activities for the students.
Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Emmeline and Bruce Patton
Debbie Johnson
Margaret
To you and your family, please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dave
Hello,
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I hope your family will be strengthened by the positive memories of times spent with your loved one. May you find strength and peace in each other in the coming days.
Joyce Chin
Margaret, Sincere condolences to you and your family on your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May cherished memories help you find peace and comfort in the days to come.
Edward & Beverly Chessell
Mary
Ted & I offer our condolence to you on Fred’s death. He was always so cheerful and positive and I enjoyed playing Bridge with both of you at the Senior Centre. It was Fred who made it possible for seniors to walk at the Recreation Centre using our Senior Centre Membership, which was much appreciated. Sending our love and best wishes to you at this difficult time.
Beverly Chessell
Chris and Diana Strong
We are both so sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences to all the Ewart family. Thinking of you during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Elaine and Brant
Dear Mary and Family,
Our heartfelt condolences for your loss. Fred will be missed by many people. We shared many a good time at the Centre, in your home, at the Fish Fries and last but not least, on the Golf Course. Hugs to all of you.
Mario Grech
Condolences to Fred’s outstandingly caring and loving family
I personally never knew Fred but I know his wonderful daughter Jane, the wife of my cousin David. If she is any example at all, and I am sure she is, I regret not meeting Fred.
Brian, Mary, Nicole and Kayla
We always loved the energy, humour and enthusiasm that Fred brought with him. He wasn’t shy on offering his opinion or his advice which was always happily received. We wish the family our deepest sympathy on his passing.
Angie Airdrie
Jane, Dave, Mitchell, Matthew, and family. We are so very sorry for your loss, thinking of you all during this difficult time. May he rest in peace ❤️
Love Angie, Dave, Nick, and Melissa xoxo
Patti McKellar
So sorry for your loss. That picture of Fred says it all. Certainly how I remember him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Peace and sympathy. Patti McKellar
Paul & Mary & Family
Our sincere condolences to the Ewart family on the passing of Fred.
We are so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing.
We remember him fondly as he always had some kind of mind games where he kept us all engaged and laughing…
A special sympathy goes out to his beloved wife Mary, his children and grandchildren.
To Jane, David, Mitchell, Jennifer and Matthew, our hearts go out to all of you during this very difficult time.
We will pray for you to bear your loss with good memories of your beloved father and grandfather.
May He Rest in Peace.
Joan McKellar
Mary and family:
Fred always acknowledged and took an interest in the children of the bridge club members. I certainly viewed him and the other bridge club members as extended family. I truly believe he had a positive impact on my life. May you find strength from the love of those around you, and peace as you move forward with his love and memories of him in your heart. My thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow.
Lesley Anne Killoran
Our sincere condolences to you Mary and your families on the passing of Fred
That photo of Fred is exactly how we remember him! You are in our thoughts and prayers
Lesley Anne and Bernie Killoran
Ruth and Broeders
Great memories carry me back when Fred was an active member of the Caledon Senior Centre. He would always step in the kitchen for a great. The best memory is when he and I would jive dance together. May you Rest In Peace and know that you touched many lives especially mine.
Joseph Anna Strong
We are both sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences to all the Ewart family. Thinking of you all during this difficult time. May he Rest In Peace. Love, Anna, Joe & Family
Donna Mckendrick
Dear Mary and family
I’m so sorry to hear about MR Fred
He was such a fun filled guy
We had many crooked pictures to talk about each time I would come
I loved him like a Dad
Xox