It is with sadness we announce that John Fraser McColl, born in Perth, Scotland on June 12, 1925 has died peacefully surrounded by family on October 10, 2009 in Victoria, British Columbia. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten by his loving wife of 58 years, Denise and his children, Fraser (Tracy), Yvonne (Lou) and Debbie (Marke), as well as grandchildren, Alistair, Cameron, Kathleen, Fraser, Lexi, Katie, Logan, Lochlan and Matty. Survived by his sister, Winnie and numerous nieces and nephews. Fraser joined the Royal Navy Submarine Corp during the Second World War. He later moved to Venezuela, working for Price Waterhouse and Royal Dutch Shell. He travelled extensively around the world especially in the Middle East searching for new oil fields. Fraser came to Canada in the 1960’s where he was involved in many businesses including Hylog Oil Equipment in Edmonton. He became an active developer in Victoria and in partnership with others created such projects as Broadmead and Wedgewood. He later went on to develop projects throughout B.C., Florida and Colorado. Fraser was also one of the founding Partners of Stagecoach Buses UK. Fraser spent many happy years as owner of the WHL Victoria Cougars and as a race horse breeder and owner. Fraser was also an avid duplicate bridge player and had many wonderful times at the Uplands Golf Course. Fraser spent countless hours on numerous campaigns for the Conservative Party of B.C. He had a full life with many friends and colleagues, always looking for new challenges and living life to the fullest. Fraser’s stories and adventures will be retold for many years to come by his numerous family and friends. Special thanks to his caregivers, especially, Amy Noolan, Guido Daza Harrera, Dr. Chris Morgan, Dr. Jason Gray and Marke Noble.
Please join us in remembering this special man at a Celebration of Life to be held at MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with reception to follow at the Uplands Golf Course. Donations in Fraser’s memory can be made to Mercy Ships Canada, #5 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, BC V8X 1R1.
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Darren
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James Flynn I am from Perth Scotland where Fraser was born,i had the opertunity to dine with him one evening.He played soccer in his younger years with my brother in law Willy Hutchison who was a
well known player in Junior League,he was also understudy to the well known Scottish International inside left position in the British Army team during the last war.He was a frequent visiter to Perth
at the Scone horse racing
James Flynn
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Kent Lewis I am sorry I could not make it to Fraser’s celebration of life. Mr. McColl was a very class act who always found the time to seek out his former players when he had the chance to see how we were doing. A very nice man that will be missed. My sincere condolences to the McColl family.
Sincerely Kent Lewis
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Charles Long On behalf of both the Long and Zabel families we would like to express our condolences upon Fraser’s passing. I know my father-in-law Jack Zabel spent many good times playing cards with him at the golf club. Whenever any of my family came into contact with Fraser he was always genuinely interested in what we were all doing and we appreciated that. He was a very fine man and will be missed.
Charles and Linda Long
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dr stewart vinnels Dear Denise, Debbie and Marke,
We were sorry to hear of Fraser’s passing last week and will always remember the day when Fraser cheerfully mentored us to try out a new form of real estate development – then helped us structure successful results for all of us.
Sincere condolences to you and your extended family.
Stew Vinnels
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Kathleen Heffernan Dear Deb,Marke and family,
Our thoughts are with you and this time of sadness. Your Dad lived an incredible life. We look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Love the Hefs XO
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Bernie & Judy Pascall Our deepest condolences to the McColl family. British Columbia
has lost a wonderful supporter of sports. Hockey, Horse Racing, Soccer..even Bridge.
So many young athletes were positively influenced by his committment to Junior hockey as owner of the Victoria Cougars.
He was a friendly, interesting, full of life individual and will be missed.
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Glen Thornborough To Denise and family. We send our sincerist condolances. Glen Thornborough and Karen Turner.
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kathi Springer Dear Fraser, Tracy, Logan, Lexi and Matty
Although we did not know Fraser Sr. personally, his reputation as a good and decent man was widely acknowledged. We write in friendship today to offer our support and respect for the loss of your father .. friend …grandfather.It is difficult to find the words that will honour the magnitude of your loss or the depth of your grief. Instead, we share a hope that you will embrace this time with your family and friends, and find peace and pride in the knowledge that your lives’ journey included the leadership, thoughtful influence and generosity of a great man. Losing someone whose life has shaped and defined your own life for so long is very personal – there are no words. Surrender to the past holding on tight to the good, and with pride, breathe in the legacies of wisdom and grace that are now yours to carry forward.
Please know that our family is grateful for the friendship that our sons share. We consider Logan to be an exceptionally fine young man with abundant talent and a heart that is kind, playful and true. There is no greater legacy for Fraser Senior than to know that he was loved – and to see signs of the best of himself within each of his children and grandchildren. The torch has been passed and the legacies of a great man will continue as the next generation leaves its mark of responsibility and kindness on the world.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Much love to you all,
Kathi and Connor
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Loretta Macdonald I was so sorry to hear of Mr. McColl’s recent passing. It was my honour to have met and worked with him. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the service tomorrow as I am once again on the east coast. I will be there in spirit and remembering in a special way.
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Charles & Alice Cox TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY:
You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you continue on with
this great loss. We sympathize with each and everyone of you,
as each loved him in their own way, and I am sure you will
honor him in death as you did in life. He has left a great legacy and a wonderful family who loved him.With regards and sympathy to one and all,
Charles & Alice Cox
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Doug and Joan Jones Denise and Family,
Our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
For many years, I knew Fraser as my cousin Vern’s (aka. Red) good friend. In recent years, I had the privilege of spending time with him while we were both at Shawnigan Lake.
Fraser did so many wonderful things for the community and he will forever be remembered as a truly remarkable man.
Doug and Joan
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Maureen Yip Denise, Deb,Mark & family. Our thoughts and prayers are sent your way in sympathy for a very kind and caring person – Fraser. He ways had time to say a fews words especially for such a busy person. He will be very much missed. Many hearts are hoping you’ll find strength and confort in knowing others share the loss of the one so dear to you.
I am sorry that I am not available to visit with you in person on Saturday due to previous commitment.
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Lisa Isherwood Dear Mrs. McColl,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. McColl this past weekend. Although, I only met him a few times, he was always a welcoming, gracious and inspiring man. Yvonne always spoke so lovingly and enthusiastically about her father. I can see where she gets her drive, determination and compassion.
Mr. McColl was also a very fortunate man to have the neverending and undying love, care and support of his family. He must have been so proud of his life, his achievements, his adventures and, most importantly, his family.
I am so very sorry to be unable to attend the memorial this weekend. Please accept my condolences.
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Richard and Rodl Lee Dear McColl Family,
We are sorry to hear about Fraser’s passing and send our condolences to you all. Fraser was great friend and horse racing partner to our father, Henry as well as a sincere, caring friend to us all. We will miss him dearly.
Ruby, Richard, Rod, Helen and Ryan Lee
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Jim and Leslie Duncan Sorry thet Leslie and I can’t be there with you Saturday but we were previously committed to being out of town. All my regards and sympathies to the family.
Jim and Leslie
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Scott Stewart Dear Denise and Family
We were all deeply saddened to hear of Fraser’s passing away last weekend. Our thoughts are very much with you at this difficult time.
From Lorna Stewart and all the rest of the Stewart Family in Perth and London
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Harvey Simons Denise and family What a sad day but I will remember all the fun times we had with our years of lambsie and all those great burgers we had and of course Fraser was the one who taught me to always have HP with my food…Denise my thoughts are with you and your family….He will be missed
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Jim Quaife Fraser was a true friend, a man of integrity, very open and caring. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Fraser left his mark on Victoria and Victoria is a much better place because of it.
My sincerest and deepest condolences to Denise, A. Fraser and family……..Jim & Marlene Quaife
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MR Jody Rice Fraser your were a great friend kind man I’ll never forget you and Jim carrying me in my wheelchair at a cougars training camp at Juan De Fuca when I was 13 to get a better view. Or the times you took the time to talk to me when I came into or called the office. You called me your “favorite fan” and your boy” and allowing me to drop the puck on Dec.10,1985 Kinsmen Night the cougars roared back to beat Medicine Hat 6-5 in O.T. The next season you gave me the honour of dropping the puck for the home opener on Sept.30,1986 vs The Seattle Thunderbirds where the cougars opened with a 4-2 Win. In Sept. 2002 you and I were at the cougars reunion before Memorial closed and you were in the bar talking with the players but as soon as someone told you I was there in spite of the fact you just suffered a stroke you insisted that you son help you out to the lobby to talk to me cause the bar was too crowded for me to get in. The last time we saw each other was 4 years ago at a salmon kings game you were in good shape walking on your own with the aid of a walker and you said “Jody my boy how are you?” I was wearing my Barry Pederson Jersey the Captain of your championship team You said “Jody your still wearing my favorite sweater good boy” And I said thanks Fraser I’ll always wear this sweater and be a cougars fan forever! Thank you my friend for being a great friend of mine making me feel important and last but not least for keeping and saving junior hockey in Victoria. So long my friend your were a great friend a great man who will never be forgotten!
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keith mcdonough In 78, the soccer world cup was on the big screen at Memorial Arena and I remember Fraser McColl slapping my back hard when Scotland scored a goal. In many ways Fraser kept the flame of high level hockey alive and paved the way that has led Victoria to now have a professional team.
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Darron Kloster A straight shooter, a kind man with a sharp sense of humour … the mold has been broken with Fraser’s passing. Victoria will miss Mr. McColl, and few will ever forget his contributions to our city. My deep condolences to Denise and family.
Darron Kloster
Victoria Times Colonist business editor
Fraser
Great owner to play for ..Fraser gave me my nickname to which people call me to this day.
.RIP Fraser you were a nice man
Darren ( CLAVOS) Naylor