Henry Alexander “Bud” Fraser , beloved husband of Joan, passed away Saturday, February 14, 2004 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 70 years after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Henry was born on the old Milliken farm east of Carmangay on June 4, 1933, along with his twin sister Henrietta, to Richard and Gertrude Fraser. He attended Carmangay School till Grade 9 at which time he began working on the family farm.
Henry met Joan Mary Butcher, a nurse from Liverpool, England, and they were married on July 5, 1958. They lived on a farm near Wolf Coulee, where they ran a mixed farming operation. In 1969 they moved their house and family of four children into Carmangay and continued farming until retiring in 1995.
Henry had many interests. He was devoted to his music and played a saxophone in a dance band for over 30 years, traveling throughout Alberta and Northern BC. He earned his pilot’s license at the age of 22 and loved studying airplanes, especially those from WWII. Henry had various hobbies including gardening, camping and fishing. He grew some of the best corn in the area and often celebrated the corn harvest with a special corn roast for family and friends.
Henry was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He loved sharing times with his family, especially his grandchildren. Henry was known to family and friends as a fountain of information and a weather man.
Henry is survived by his beloved wife Joan of Carmangay, a loving father of two daughters Jane (Don) Gothard of Spirit River and Marian (Shane) McClarty of Dawson Creek, BC, two sons Philip (Kelly) Fraser of Carmangay and Andy Fraser of High Level, his grandchildren Amy and Allison Gothard of Spirit River, Andrew, Clintin and Jenna Fraser of Carmangay, Megan and Joshua McClarty of Dawson Creek, BC. Henry is also survived by four sisters Evelyn Root of Lethbridge, Betty (Delmar) Greene, Dolly (Jim) O’Connor, all of Carmangay and Heather Love of Raymond, his younger brother Bill (Linda) Fraser of Lethbridge, a sister-in-law Laura Fraser of Carmangay, many nieces and nephews.
Henry was predeceased by his twin sister Henrietta (Bob) Ensign, an older brother Cliff, two brothers-in-law Jasper Root and Allan Love and his parents.
Funeral Service was held on Thursday February 19, 2004 at Carmangay School in Carmangay at 11:00 a.m. with Mayne R. Root officiating.
Honorary bearers were Bill Fraser, Gordie Goldhawk, Kenny Dahl, Lawrence Bodie and all of Henry’s close friends and relatives.
Casket bearers were Lawrence Fremstad, Stephen Dahl, Brian Ensign, Danny Root, Nels Asplund and Darren Fraser
Internment Carmangay Cemetery.
If friends so desire tributes in Henry’s memory could be made to the Palliative Care Unit Vulcan Community Health Centre Box 299 Vulcan, Alberta T0L 2B0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.