Loving husband of Jeanne (nee Hines); father of Jeffrey Allan Fry; brother of Ted Fry (Gwen); uncle of Julie Ball (Travis); and great uncle of Chase.
Allan Fry passed away at the age of 88, after being waited on hand and foot (literally) at what he believed to be and all inclusive resort called The Village of Riverside Glen. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers... ahem... resort staff (much to his satisfaction, mostly women) that took care of his daily needs and made him feel welcome. Aviator, yachtsman, army officer, highland drummer, jazz lover, party-goer and infamous whiskey drinker, he died on Thursday September 13, 2018, days after remarking “where’s the booze?” over a cup of tea.
Despite his demands of “if I ever lose my marbles, take me out behind the shed” we just couldn’t do it. Also, that’s illegal. Fighting Alzheimer’s disease is not easy for anyone, but Allan maintained his sense of humour and sharp wit even when all of his other senses were gone. Still able to play a crisp highland drum routine, the pipes and drums could be heard wafting from his room and throughout the halls of Riverside Glen.
Whenever he got time off from parties at the yacht club, flying club, or officer’s mess, he managed to find time to maintain a 35 year career as an air traffic controller at Malton Airport (now Pearson International), retiring as Chief Air Traffic Controller at Waterloo Wellington Airport. At the age of 28 he was part of the CF-105 Avro Arrow programme where he controlled test flights. In 1964 he became part of the air operations staff for the Canadian International Air show and became the Director of Operations in 1966, mostly for the epic parties. At one such party whilst drinking copious amounts of vodka, he successfully convinced a U. S. Navy pilot that he was a Cosmonaut, having spoken in a Russian accent for the entire evening.
Some would say he was destined for a life of bachelorhood, however was saved from a sinking yacht in Toronto Harbour, literally, by his future wife Jeanne in 1968. A mutual friend of Allan and Jeanne, having fancied himself as a matchmaker, gave her a choice of a pilot or, an air traffic controller/pilot WITH a yacht. The choice “seemed” obvious. Many yacht club parties later, the next generation with the same appreciation of life was born, their son Jeffrey Allan Fry in 1976.
Jeanne supported Allan as his primary caregiver for the last 5 years at home, prior to moving to Riverside Glen and continued to listen to his plans for escape via train back to Toronto.
We know the party continues in some smoke filled jazz bar where everyone’s glass is always full, the jokes are always funny and Frank Sinatra is always flying to the moon.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. at the Officer’s Mess at the Guelph Armoury, 7 Wyndham St S, on Saturday September 22.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Waterloo Wellington Alzheimer’s Society.