Obituary of Harold Freure

April 6, 1928 - December 18, 2025

To view the livestream of the service, please CLICK HERE

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harold Freure, Jr. in his 98th year. Harold died after a short illness, peacefully in his sleep on December 18, 2025, at his home in Kitchener. While Harold’s parents called him Junior, his friends simply called him Harold.

Born in the family farmhouse, in Lincoln Township (formerly Louth Township) near Beamsville Ontario, in April 1928. Harold was born 2 days after the death of his older sister Evelyn.

He leaves behind his sister Eleanor Freure, sister Eileen Catterall, brother-in-law Walter Besler, sister-in-law Rose Besler, brother-in-law Gary McLellan, son David Freure (Nathalie), daughter Dianne Freure (Ken Morley), daughter Donna Breadner (Robert), daughter Denise Freure-Martin (Dennis), son Doug Freure (Glenda). Harold is survived by 12 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Harold is predeceased by his wife (73 years) Heidi (nee Besler) 2024, his parents Harold (senior) and Mildred Freure (nee Poole), sister Evelyn Freure, brother James Freure, sister-in-law Faye Freure, brother-in-law Richard Catterall, sister-in-law Alice Huras, brother-in-law James Huras, sister-in-law Margaret McLellan, daughter-in-law Lynn Freure.

Harold grew up on a fruit farm outside Beamsville, Ontario which grew peaches and cherries. It was a time of hard work (and play) and often included trips to Kitchener to sell their fruit.  While Harold’s father saw junior’s future on the farm (senior was looking at expanding the farm by buying an additional farm), Harold saw his future elsewhere. After high school, Harold left the farm to join the Hill brothers to learn the trade of “plastering”. This trade took him to Niagara Falls, Hamilton, and Windsor. Harold then joined his high school friends Glen and Jim Culp whom had started a plastering company in Kitchener. After a few years with the Culp brothers, Harold set out on his own and began his own plastering business, plastering homes for Anson and Lyle Hallman.  He built his business up, hiring several workers including his brother Jim Freure. Later Harold took a lesson from the Hallman’s turning the plastering business over to his workers and began building homes. He would buy some lots from Anson Hallman, build a home, sell the house and repeat. So began his company Freure Homes. In 1977 Harold was very pleased to have his son David join the business. Over the past 70 plus years Harold, and later with David, their company Freure Homes has built more than 11,000 homes throughout Ontario including such places as Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, Stratford, London, Burlington, Hamilton, Brantford, Ingersoll and more. Over the years, Harold worked in partnership with many of the key land developers and home builders of Kitchener-Waterloo (Lyle Hallman, Claude Dubrick, Paul Tuerr and many, many more). He was a founding member of the consortium of builders known as Buildevco Ltd. which built the Stanley Park subdivision. Building on Buildevco success, a few of its members – Harold, Lyle Hallman, George Rothwell began a roof truss and prefabricated framing company – Tampa Hall, now run by George Rothwell’s son Jordan. Harold was truly a serial entrepreneur.

Harold held many positions: President of Kitchener Waterloo Home Builders, President Ontario Home Builders, Member Canadian Home Builders, Member Ontario Building Code Committee, Kitchener Parks and Recreation Board, Member of Trinity Village Board of Directors and Reformation Lutheran Church Council.

Harold was a charter member of Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club for more than 50 years and instrumental in the Dream Home Rotary Project and Lobsterfest. Harold and Heidi were also founding and active members of Reformation Lutheran Church and later Trillium Lutheran Church. They were members of Devil’s Glen Ski Club and Georgian Peaks Ski Club and were proud that they both were able to ski well into their 80’s. Harold and Heidi enjoyed summers at their cottage on Georgian Bay, winters in Collingwood skiing, and numerous trips to their home in Palm Beach Florida and time share in Abaco Bahamas.

Over the years Harold also enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing poker, entertaining and travel with Heidi and most of all his family. Harold was a proud father, grandfather and great grandfather, cherishing all their visits. He was a loyal friend, a fierce competitor and singularly focused on his business. He will be missed by all.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Jonathan Martins, Dr. Claire Harlick, Dr. Amelia Yip, the staff of Health atHome, the nursing staff of CarePartners and Harold’s caregivers from Warm Embrace (too many to name) for their exceptional care, dedication and kindness over the past few years.

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. Funeral service to take place at Trillium Lutheran Church, 22 Willow Street, Waterloo on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11a.m., with the Rev. Hans Borch officiating. Reception to follow in the Church Hall.

A livestream and recording of the funeral service will be available on Harold’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to the Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club or Waterloo Regional Health Network may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S. Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.