Obituary of Ernest Fryer

Loving Husband, the best Father and Grandfather aka, Grampa Da, brother and friend. Family was everything to Ernie and he has gone to be with his wife Marian, who passed only 8 months ago. They were married for over 70 years. Dad is also predeceased by his sister Andrea Ireland in the UK, who passed just 2 weeks earlier. Sisters-in-law also in the UK, Margret and Jean, and brother-in-law George.

Dad also leaves behind his beloved children Andrea (John), David (Michele), Sandy (Warren). Grandfather to Heather (Peter), Gavin (Kristen), Andrew (Rebecca), Candice (Steve), Ashley (Peter), Chris (Lyndsay), Nicolas (Rachel), Nathan, Ali (Chris), Jamie (Kiera). Great Grandfather to William, Amelia, Abigail, Matthew, Matias, Roman, Miles, Madison, Connor, Charlotte, Kyla, Summer, Valerie, Scarlett.

Born in Liverpool UK, Dad started his career as a Policeman or a “Bobby.” He then was married and had a daughter, Andrea. Dad then set his sights on Canada for a better life for his family. Dad travelled by ship through Ellis Island New York and made his way to Toronto to start with the Toronto Police. Guided by his strong values and principles he refused to carry a gun and therefore did not join the force. Dad’s first job in Canada was at a sausage factory, after that he always struggled to eat a sausage. Then he moved into Security at the Avro Arrow plant in Brampton. While there, he learned that the Ford Motor Company was hiring Security Officers in Plant Protection and that was his first step up the ladder at Ford.

Never looking back, he made many friends and was respected by those he worked with. At one point in Dad’s career, he visited a plant in the southern states and studied how robotics could safely be installed at the Oakville plant. The body and paint lines were converted to robotics and that was the start of the automation innovation at Ford. Dad spent 34 years with the Ford Motor Company and was the Oakville Assembly Plant and the Oakville Truck Plant Safety Engineer and Supervisor. The safety and well being of all the workers at the 2 plants was his top priority. Dad also was a volunteer Firefighter with Oakville Fire Dept.

Dad was known for a couple of things, his love for animals. Deeply compassionate for any creature. As a boy he had a goat named Ginny, a dog named Shep and many rabbits, chickens, ducks and horses.

We always had pets growing up, dogs - Panda, Hotdog, Buffy, Maggie, Sam 1 and Sam 2. Dad was a true craftsman. Mr fix it, create it and build it. Our lives growing up were spent on the boats in Oakville Harbour and then Bronte Harbour. Dad just could not be a boat club member, he had to be on the executive and donated countless volunteer hours to the Power Boat club. Dad used his knowledge of Safety to support the work of the boat clubs operations and volun-teered with TOWARF, Oakvilles Marine Rescue unit, as our Ocean capable boat, 42 feet and 22 tons in weight, called Senility was the only ship that could handle the weather on Lake Ontario when the search vessel could not.

Dad’s ability to take things apart and do amazing woodworking, wiring, engine repair and painting, as the boats always needed some form of repair or updating. Once they left the boating world to retire and travel, travel trailers were the next past time. Mom and dad travelled all over, Canada and the U.S. When Mom was tired of the road, they settled for a lovely place in Florida, Port St. Lucie and they would become “Snowbirds”.

When the travel to Florida and upkeep up the Florida home became too much to pass the time, dad started on his hobbies in his workshop. He successfully completed a fully operational, built to scale HO train model township which was on a 8’ X 16’ ft. raised platform. He then built 5 remote control airplanes and flew with the Burlington Model Airplane Club. With dad’s mobility challenges the planes became too much so he built remote control boats. He joined the Marine Modellers and enjoyed friendship and competition with the clubs.

Dad built tug boats, fire fighting boats, sail boats, cruise ships. All to scale and from scratch. Dad then started building steam engines. Fully functioning steam engines, so impressive.

Many thanks to the wonderful Dr. Cescon, nurse Jenn and Melissa, The Niagara region home-care support team. Finally, thanks to friends and family for the unconditional love and support through this most difficult time.

Cremation has taken place and there will be a celebration of life planned for the summer when the family can all reunite. Donations can be made to GAMRU, Grimsby Area Marine Rescue Unit. Donations also to an animal shelter of your choice.