SCHINNERS, Frederick (Fred) Louis
It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce Fred's passing, peacefully, on Friday, October 28th, 2022, after a brief illness. He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Carmen Della Valle (née McArthur); his children, Monica (Mark Eriksen), Natalie (David McLeish), Rosemarie (Chris Martell), grandchildren, Julia, Jakob, Cecilia and Alex, sister, Patricia Pielow and step-family, Madelyn (Francis), Andrea and Sarah (the Robs), John Philip, Edmund and Sophia.
Born August 28, 1943, he grew up in Sault Ste. Marie with his parents, Stan and Lucy, and siblings Ron, Ann, Pat and Bob. Fred graduated from the University of Windsor in 1965 with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce and obtained his CA degree with Arthur Andersen in Toronto. He married Isabel Cereceda Cabello in 1969 and moved to Barrie in 1972 where they raised their three daughters. He worked for Clarke, Henning and Company, which later merged with BDO in 1980. He was a tax and accounting specialist who was highly regarded by both his clients and colleagues in the profession. He turned complicated tax arrangements into easier-to-understand concepts with practical applicability. As the managing partner of the BDO Offices in Barrie, Alliston and Newmarket for many years he led them to growth and financial success. Above all he brought wit and humour to every situation whether it was business-related or with his associates and friends.
In the 80s, Fred was part of a group that arrived at the YMCA every morning at 6am to run, regardless of weather. He surpassed them all in his enthusiasm for distance running - 10K, half-marathons, full marathons including the New York Marathon. He loved to compete, his time and placement unimportant, finishing being his only goal. Aside from fitness, the Y group met for Saturday morning breakfasts at the local greasy spoon and weekend cottage trips on Georgian Bay sharing countless laughs and stories.
Fred was a golf enthusiast and longtime member of the Barrie Golf and Country Club. He was a regular member of a foursome with close friends Bill Wiseman, Don Baker and Doug Morphett. For many years the foursome travelled annually on golf trips to numerous destinations. On these trips some adult beverages were consumed, some bad golf was played and many laughs were had. In his last years, he joined the Shanty Bay Old Boys League (SOB's), sharing his passion for the game with John Osborn and others. He was well liked and sadly missed by his buddies.
Fred loved to travel, enjoying both hiking and cruise holidays, and organizing trips that included both his family and Carmen’s. He encouraged his family to enjoy experiences rather than material things. He treasured his role as Papa Fred and brought much joy into the lives of his grandchildren, being the ultimate hockey grandpa, golf coach, cribbage player and creator of shepherd's pies and other culinary delights. Personable (but not gregarious), Fred had a natural and engaging way of sharing wisdom, knowledge, humour and advice with his family, friends and colleagues. His generosity, mischievous playfulness and warm love for his family will be deeply missed and always remembered.
An in-person celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 7, 2022 from 4-5:30pm at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie, Ontario, L4M 1L4. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Hospice Simcoe Barrie.
Online memories and condolences may be forwarded via www.steckleygooderham.com