Albert “Fraser” Dewis passed away on August 5, 2022 at the age of 82 in his hometown of Halifax, NS. Despite health challenges in recent years, he showed incredible courage keeping a smile on his face and a great sense of humour until the end.
He was born to George and Mildred Dewis on October 8, 1939. He graduated from QEH and later pursued a BSc and BEd from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Education (Phys Ed) from Boston University. He worked for many years as a teacher and administrator for the Halifax School Board where he was the Head of Math, Health & Physical Education and pioneered sex education and, eventually, AIDS awareness.
Fraser is survived by his wife; Marilyn (Lingley) Dewis, two children; Suzanne (Duane) Dennis and Michael (Karen) Dewis and siblings; Marion Kennedy, Murray Dewis and Pam Engel. He was “Buppy” to his four youngest fans, his grandchildren; Katie, Sophie, Walter and Hollie.
Fraser’s pride and joy was his cottage in East Chester, which he built with persistence, elbow grease and knowledge gained from the locals and night courses at the Halifax Vocational School. He later dug out a basement, cleared a beach and built a wharf largely by hand. The bigger the rock, the better the reward. The cottage on “The Point” was and is Fraser. And like him, it has and will provide years of fun and good memories for all.
Fraser spent most of his life in Halifax, where he became recognized as being one of the first “runners” on the city streets. He spent many years at “The Y”, successfully finishing many marathons, including New York and Boston. Not being a great sleeper, you were bound to find him most days at the Ardmore Tea Room at 5 AM. He was also an active member of First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir for years.
Fraser was “one of a kind” and a true unfiltered entertainer. He was the life of the party whether he was entertaining friends, holding court or getting a rise out of unsuspecting nurses or waitresses. He was always looking for someone to give it back as much as he was dishing it out. He kept the room alive and celebrated the good things in life. As he always said, “if you can’t laugh, you might as well be dead”.
Fraser will be honoured at a Celebration of Life at 1 pm on Friday, September 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church, 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS. The service will also be available through livestream, the link will be posted on the funeral home website.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Fraser’s name, to Feed Nova Scotia.