CYRIL ARTHUR FRY

14 FEBRUARY 1926 - 22 JUNE 2022

The family of Cyril Fry is sad to announce his death at age 96. Dad lived a long, happy and very

full life until his recent decline.

He is survived by Marion (Gofton), his wife of 74 years, three children: Jill (Jim Nantais), Gretta

(Phil Bowman), and Alastair (JoAnne Agnew), four grandchildren: Emma (John Hopkins) and

Alex (Iza Boinska) Johnston, Peri and Claudia (Sam Guise) Bowman and two great grandsons:

Adrian Hopkins and Lenny Johnston. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers,

Dick and Jim.

Born in Brantford, Ontario on February 14th 1926, Cyril was the youngest son of Wilfred and

Edith Fry. His childhood and youth were spent in Brantford and Toronto. In 1947 he graduated

from the University of Toronto with a degree in Metallurgical engineering and later added a

Master of Education to his credentials.

While visiting the Huntsville area he met Marion and the couple were married on Sept. 9th 1948.

Following a year living and working in England during which time they cycled around Europe

and much of Britain the couple’s love of Muskoka prompted their move to Gravenhurst when

Cyril accepted a position with the Rubberset Brush Company. In the early 1960s he made the

decision to switch careers and become a high school teacher, spending the remainder of his

working life in the science department at Gravenhurst High School.

Cyril and Marion built their own house on Muskoka Beach Road which, with the exception of a

few intervals abroad was to remain their lifelong home.

Teaching exchanges and their passion for travel took the couple and their children on many trips

around the world.

Cyril’s interests and pursuits were varied and wide ranging. He was a part owner and founder of

The Gravenhurst News where he also served as an occasional columnist. For decades he was

a clown in the Gravenhurst Santa Claus parade. A love of airplanes led him to take up gliding

and then to obtain his private pilot’s licence.

As a committed volunteer through his life Cyril held positions on the Muskoka Township School

Board, Ontario Arthritis Society, Muskoka Community Concert Association, Leacock Awards

Committee, and the Muskoka Field Naturalists amongst others. When Gravenhurst celebrated

it’s centenary in 1976 he served as chairperson for the celebrations and was named citizen of

the year.

The centenary prompted Cyril and Marion to initiate the founding of the Gravenhurst Archives

and their continued involvement with the organization led to them jointly receiving the 2019

Ontario Lieutenant Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Ontario Heritage.

 

Most of all Cyril was grateful to the many good friends, neighbours, former students, caregivers

and family for their kindness and friendship. And he was grateful to those who raised him, and

fought in wars enabling him to live in freedom. Though he faced hurdles at times he always felt

he had been lucky through life.

 

In keeping with Cyril’s wishes no funeral or celebration of life is planned but those who would

like to remember him with a donation to their favourite charity are invited to do so in his name.

Or in his words: “Perhaps give to some individual you know who needs help”.