Winsor, Fred Archibald

 April 3, 1950- April 6, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Fred Winsor, after a long and courageous battle. The loving son of Fred and Anne (Hillier) Winsor, he was born April 3, 1950 in St. John’s and passed away April 6^th, 2022.

Survived by devoted wife Karen Webber and cherished son Haakon (CJ Woodford), sisters-law Peg, (John-deceased) Webber, Jan Nelson, nephews Scott (Stacey) and Jamie; cousins Judy, (Dave), Maureen (Doug), Andrea (Ron), Edna (Tim), Miriam (Jim), Allan, Jacqueline, Gloria (Bob), Maxine, Jeannette, Vi (Fred), Leslie (Sandy), Margaret and Elizabeth plus many cousins throughout the US. He is remembered by long standing friends Peyton Chisholm, and Kevin and Stuart Squires of Cape Breton.

Born and raised in St. John’s, Fred attended Curtis Academy then Prince of Wales Collegiate becoming a community organizer in the Mundy Pond area during his early Memorial university days. The thread of community activism characterized his varied achievements of which the following are only a few. He worked with the Company of Young Canadians in Ontario, NL and NS. In Canso, prior to 200 mile limit for foreign fishing vessels, he was an early proponent for a 50 mile limit to protect the inshore fishery from all other fishers, and later was proud of his efforts in laying the groundwork for a Cape Breton local within the Maritime Fishermen’s Union. While in Nova Scotia he was instrumental in building cooperative housing in Halifax and working with the NDP. Fred’s work as a fisheries observer sparked his return to university, and he earned an MA at St. Mary’s University and a PhD in History in 1996 at Memorial University with a focus on health and safety in the fishing industry. He continued his involvement in fisheries and environmental issues with groups such as FLOW, NLEN, Action Environment and the Sandy Pond Alliance. As the Atlantic Chair of the Sierra Club Canada he advocated for a science based sustainable fishery and green energy production. He ran for public office to bring critical issues to the forefront. Finally, he loved dancing and during the winter, he revered his weekly game of shinny hockey.

Fred will be missed by a large circle of friends in both NL and Nova Scotia, and in particular around one table at The Ship Pub, where for years he met to share stories with his friends. We will all miss his kindness, his love of story-telling, and his sense of humour. 

Special thanks to Dr. Butler and Trena Snook, NP of the Home Dementia Team and Dr. Jat and the staff of the GPAU at the Waterford Hospital who cared for Fred with knowledge and compassion.  To those who walked with him, watched movies with him, chatted over coffee, or invited him for a weekly meal you are forever in our hearts.

  A celebration of life service will take place on Sunday July 10, 2022 from 3:00-4:00pm from Barrett's Chapel. A visitation and reception will be held at St. Mary the Virgin: Canon Sterling Hall, Craigmiller Avenue, St. John's from 4:00-6:00pm