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FREDERICK WILLIAM SIMPSON
Date of Passing: Jan 28, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryFREDERICK WILLIAM SIMPSON
If I could live forever and all my dreams come true, my memories of love would be of you.
Fred passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Many thanks to the Winnipeg Firefighters and Paramedics as well as the doctors, nurses and unit assistants in the Emergency Department at Health Sciences Centre.
He was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Grace Simpson.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Edith and his mother-in-law Ursula Kuhr, his brother-in-law Erwin Kuhr, nephews, Keegan Kuhr (Tina), Erik Kuhr (Airdrie), niece Karissa Rymes (Robert) and his wife's cousin Ralph Jadischke. He is also survived by his cousin in Winnipeg, Wendy Bloomfield (Art) and cousins in British Columbia, Sydney Bending and April Bending.
Fred was born and grew up in Winnipeg, attending schools Angus McKay, John Henderson and Miles Macdonnell in East Kildonan.
He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth Sciences and a Masters in Mineralogy. Fred decided to teach high school science but as a student teacher it was suggested he change direction to teaching elementary school music. This switch was recommended when his supervisor discovered he was taking singing lessons and singing as a soloist at First Presbyterian Church.
He took the advice and on graduating in 1974, started teaching in the St. Vital School Division which became Louis Riel School Division. He taught music at Victor Mager, St. George, Varennes, Mountbatten and in 1983 moved to George McDowell School when it opened. He remained at George McDowell for 23 years, retiring in 2006.
He continued singing in church choirs and joined Westminster United Church choir where he was the bass soloist for over 40 years.
Fred also sang in the choruses of 13 Rainbow Stage productions and most of the Gilbert and Sullivan productions. He was also a member of the Caledonian Singers, a men's choir who sang at the Pavilion of Scotland in Folklorama. When the group disbanded, he was asked to form and direct a new choir of men who sang Scottish songs, Brochan Lom and he remained their director until his death. He also took on the job of directing a women's choir, Fair Warning, which he also directed until his death.
On retirement from teaching, Fred added singing with the Manitoba Opera Chorus in several productions. Besides continuing his singing on retirement, he returned to his love of rocks of the earth, making jewellery from stones and also from dichroic glass. He joined the Rock of Ages lapidary club. He sold his creations at craft sales and Farmers' Markets.
In his spare time he joined with his wife showing their Shetland Sheep Dogs in the confirmation and obedience rings; looked after the tropical fish he had in the 22 fish tanks in their basement, and participated in archery and gardening.
Fred was a loving and supportive husband to his wife and they were best friends.
A memorial service officiated by Reverend Sherri McConnell, will take place at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westminster United Church, 745 Westminster Avenue or the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 15, 2025
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Mr. Simpson was my daughter Sandra's music teacher. My deepest condolences to family and friends. RIP - Posted by: Margaret Rutowicz (My daughter music teacher) on: Feb 23, 2025
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Edith, what a shock to hear of Fred’s passing. So many concerts you and I attended over the years for the various choirs and groups in which our men sang their hearts out. I send you much encouragement for the difficult transition you are making from living as “We” to becoming “I” once again. I trust your close friends have been there and will continue to be close by to support the beginning of this lonely journey. I believe that the memories of your deep friendship and years of love with Fred will bolster you as you move forward. With condolences and best wishes, Hollie Andrew, Edmonton - Posted by: Hollie Andrew (widow off Roger Dennis, Fred’s co-Choir bass singer) on: Feb 23, 2025
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Edith, our most sincerest sympathies in the sudden loss of Fred. We always knew when Fred was around by his beautiful voice, only just recently at another service. Through the 50 years of marriage …many great memories. Wishing you support and peace in the embrace of family and friends…Rita and Robin. - Posted by: Rita and Robin Henderson (Cousin to Edith) on: Feb 19, 2025
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Very sad news. I recall chats around the coffee tables at HSC when you would talk of Fred. It truly appeared that you were best friends. He was very accomplished, in many ways and very dedicated to you. We offer our sincere condolences on your loss. - Posted by: Arlene and Val Stocki (Colleague and friends) on: Feb 16, 2025
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We first met Fred when Karen was a member of the late Peter Buchan’s “For Pete’s Sake Singers” and Fred was a member of Peter’s other group, “The Caledonian Singers”. The two groups often performed at the same events including Folklorama. Fred had a lovely solo voice, and was just a really nice guy, deeply committed to music. More recently, we would see Fred directing the ladies’ choir at St. Peters Anglican Church. Sending our sincere condolences to his family on the loss of this very good man. - Posted by: Karen & Richard Howell (Fellow singers) on: Feb 15, 2025
