Obituary of Frederick John Harris

Fred Harris passed away peacefully in Waterloo, Ontario, in his 84th year. He was born on May 28, 1942, in Montreal, Quebec, to Edna and Albert Harris.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife Diane (née LeMessurier), his son Tyler (Kathryn), and his brother Ken (Laraine), along with their children and grandchildren.

Fred’s curiosity about the world was sparked early and never dimmed. He studied History and Geography at the University of British Columbia, a passion that would define and enrich his life. In his younger years, he embarked on a memorable summer adventure with friends — a boat trip up the Fraser River all the way to the Arctic — the kind of bold, spirited journey that spoke to who he was: a man unafraid of new horizons.

That love of adventure never left him. Fred and Diane explored South America, Europe, and the United States together, and delighted in going on cruises. Whether wandering through a foreign city or discovering a new restaurant closer to home, Fred found joy in experiencing the world — and in sharing those experiences with the people he loved.

Fred spent his career in education, working at Dawson College in Montreal and later at Conestoga College in Kitchener, where he served on the administrative side of the institution. He cared deeply about the student experience and believed that learning had the power to transform lives. He proved it in his own home: Fred introduced his son Tyler to the joys of reading and the pleasures of history, instilling a love of ideas that led Tyler to study History at the University of Waterloo and then at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Fred was also a man willing to take a leap of faith. He joined Peter McAuslan and Ellen Bounsall in launching McAuslan Brewing in Montreal, a bold entrepreneurial venture that gave the world St-Ambroise beer, a beloved Quebec craft brew that endures to this day. That entrepreneurial spirit never really left him; decades later, it was reignited when his daughter-in-law Kathryn launched her own councelling agency. Fred followed her journey with genuine excitement and pride, eager to see her business grow and thrive.

Above all, Fred was a family man and nothing revealed his character more than the quiet sacrifices he made for those he loved. When he took the position at Conestoga College, he moved to Kitchener alone, renting a room while Diane stayed behind in Montreal to sell the family home. For a full year they lived apart, separated by hundreds of kilometres, sustained by phone calls and the shared conviction that they were building something better. It was the kind of patient, selfless devotion that defined Fred: he was willing to endure hardship not merely so his family would survive, but so they would truly thrive.

He and Diane were married for 58 remarkable, fun-filled years, a partnership built on love, laughter, and a shared delight in life’s adventures large and small. His devotion to her, and to his family, was the quiet, steady centre of everything he did.

Fred had a great sense of humour. He loved to laugh, to tell a good story, and to draw people in with his warmth and wit. He was generous with his time and his wisdom, always willing to share his thoughts and offer counsel, and those who sought his advice invariably found it to be the best kind: honest, considered, and given with their best interests at heart.

Fred will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his love of learning, his sense of adventure, and the deep devotion he showed to his family and friends. He lived fully, laughed often, and loved well.