Frederick Arthur Meredith Huycke, BA, LLB, QC Fred died peacefully at home in Collingwood after a short illness on Monday, July 26, 2021. He was born October 17, 1924 in Toronto to Ottilie Wells Avery and G.M. (Mossie) Huycke. He was the very loving and caring husband for 69 years to Catherine (Kit) LeBel and a fantastic and involved father to Catherine (John Wettlaufer), Mary (deceased), Margot (Tara Goldstein), Graeme (Julia) and Jennifer (Stephen Christie), and a wonderful grandfather to Ryley (Lisa) and Jeffrey (Kathryn Buczko) Dutton, Maggie, Tessa and William Christie, and Peter, Peggy and Oliver Huycke. Further joy came from being a great-grandfather to Noah, Charlotte and Walker Dutton. He also leaves his sisters Ottilie Rose Matchett (Boyd, deceased) and Susan Huycke and was predeceased by brothers Edward (Margie) and Graeme (Katherine). Fred attended Rosedale and Crescent schools in Toronto before attending Trinity College School in Port Hope, the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall. He spent his career as a lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt (1950 – 1991) where both his father and brother, Ed, worked. Respected as a lawyer, he loved his job particularly because of the people he dealt with as colleagues or clients. Fred was a very keen and fast skier (many podium finishes – one at 94) and spent virtually every winter weekend with his family at Osler Bluff. On many New Year’s Eves, he and Kit could be found down the lane from our ski cabin at the Second Last Resort. In the summer, Fred loved spending time at Oakdene, the island cottage his parents bought on Stoney Lake in 1943. He went every year until 2020 and relished that time with the immediate family and his Blaiklock and Huycke cousins. Fred served Canada overseas in the Second World War as a Gunner while a member of the 11th artillery regiment and saw action starting in Italy, then going north through France and Holland. He was particularly proud to be part of the liberation of Holland in 1945. Fred had a group of friends whom he first met while attending the “Army Course” prior to going overseas in 1944. This group of young men, and their future wives, stayed together as close friends for decades and celebrated May Day together every year. Fred was smart and firm but he was fair and he offered comfort to many. He helped people along the way, from young track athletes who needed fees paid to others who only needed sound, thoughtful advice. Fred saw things quickly – one of his late partners noted, “He taught me to burst through the fuzziness and get decisions of the mind and heart into a healthy and practical balance”. Fred loved dinners with good friends and family debating ideas and history. He liked to win these debates but was prepared to admit defeat when presented with a logical and succinct argument. All his family loved Fred because he gave so much love to us. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren idolized him, his children looked up to him like no one else and Kit saw him as her rock and protector to the end. Fred was a beacon and our family patriarch. His huge, long lasting and fundamental presence in our lives will be sorely missed. Contributions may be made in Fred’s memory to the Princess Margaret Hospital thepmcf.ca and the Alzheimer Society of Canada alzheimer.ca. Private family service. A Celebration of Life will be held in Toronto when possible