We regret to announce that Frederick George Demmon Jr. passed away in Nanaimo Hospital on March 30th, 2012. He passed peacefully after a lifetime battle with diabetes and all the complications that accompany it.
Fred was born in Salmon Arm, BC on February 24th, 1943 while his father Fred Sr. was away at war. Like so many born in this era, Fred learned very early about giving and making sacrifice. Fred continued to devote his entire life to service and community.
Fred met his wife Joan on the school bus in 1957 and married in 1963. Together, in Salmon Arm they started their adventure and family, adding Glen & Shari. In 1972, they moved to Golden to be house parents at the Kinsmen Group Home, where they hosted and parented over 500 children in 7 years. During these years they were blessed with the addition to the family of Liesa & Danny. Fred opened the OK Tire Store and later Quadra Auto Supplies in Golden and operated together with his parents until 1999.
Fred’s community service world started in Salmon Arm, joining the Kinsmen Club but really took root in Golden, where he became a Life Member of Kinsmen and was Charter Member of Golden Rotary Club. Fred served on the Golden Town Council as Alderman/Councillor and Mayor for 16 years. He also represented Golden on the Regional District Board and the Columbia Basin Trust, Auxiliary RCMP and served as a Coroner for many years.
Due to health, Fred & Joan moved to Parksville in 1999, where Fred’s value of community service continued. He was elected to two terms on Parksville City Council and became an active member of the Knights of Columbus.
For his years of community service Fred was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
As much as Fred gave, being a part of his community and giving to people was his biggest reward. Whether it was a broken down tourist on a holiday weekend, a kid needing a break, a sport team needing a van, an extra hand to put up a wall, a friendly ear to listen, a voice to give guidance, a town needing a leader or a teammate, a family needing love, Fred gave it all. Fred was love: a husband, father, son, brother, friend and employer. Fred was support, he was caring, committed, willing and devoted… he was community and family.
Fred, Freddy, Dad, Papa will be sadly missed but never forgotten by his wife Joan, sister Bev (Colin) Carson, children: Glen (Ramona), Shari (Christian) Leibbrandt, Liesa (Trevor) Taphorn and Dan (Teresa), grandchildren: Stefanee, Natalie, Sara, Rachel, Aidan, Kayla, and Jenna, the Berthot Clan, family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and communities. Fred is predeceased by grandson Conner and parents Fred and Irene.
Memorial Service and Interment will be held for Fred at 13:00 on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Bowers Funeral Home, 440 - 10th Street, SW, Salmon Arm, BC. Information regarding the services and condolences for Fred can be found/sent on the funeral home website: www.bowersfuneralservice.com
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in the name of Fred to:
1.The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Donation in Fred’s name to the fundraising drive for Kiefer Penman (2012 Telus Walk). Please use this link for making your very appreciated donation: jdrfca.donordrive.com/participant/Kiefer
2. Wheels for Wellness Society - 1894 Bolt Avenue, Comox, BC V9M 2J4
3.Kidney Foundation of Canada