Frederick William Meridew

Frederick William Meridew

It is with sadness tempered with faith that we announce that Fred Meridew passed on Saturday May 13, 2023 at the Trillium Health Partners Mississauga Hospital. Fred was 86 years old and is survived by Zelma, his wife of 48 years, brother Rick and wife Susanne. Fred now joins his mother Edith (nee Malcolmson) and father, Charles (Pete) who predeceased him.

Fred was born in Toronto in 1937 and soon proved to be a gifted student and steadfast altar boy in the Anglican church. During the war years his father served in the Royal Canadian Navy and Fred spent those years living with, loved and supported by his mother, aunt Mary Malcolmson and, grandmother Elizabeth Malcolmson. Later Fred moved with his parents to Peterborough where he finished the last two years of High School. After graduation Fred joined McColl Turner and launched a career as a Chartered Accountant. As an articling student, one of Fred’s favourite assignments was working at the St. Joseph’s Hospital
Peterborough. It supplied Fred with a lifetime of warm and sometimes humorous stories of the sisters and nurses he met and worked with there.

Fred’s career path shifted from public practice when he moved to Cobourg and began a 32-year career with Canadian General Electric. He soon moved to a downtown Toronto location and finally to their Headquarters in Mississauga where he specialized in tax accounting related to their foreign assets. While living in downtown Toronto, Fred was a volunteer Scout Master and Lay Reader in the Cabbage Town area. Fred was also a Toronto history enthusiast and trained as a tour guide. Fred and Zelma moved from Toronto to Mississauga to be closer to work and Fred quickly embraced his new community and contributed to it in many ways. He and Zelma were among the first volunteers at the Living Arts Centre where Fred was a Tour Guide with a special love for greeting and speaking with school groups. Fred received awards for length of service and as Volunteer of the Year. Fred and Zelma also volunteered at the Peel Children’s Water Festival for several years. Fred was also a long-standing member of the Condo Board of their townhouse development and served as President for several years. Fred also found a special community in what was to become the Church of the Holy Spirit of Peace. A long-time member and supporter he actively participated in the process that saw the merger of Holy Spirit Anglican Church and Peace Lutheran Church. Although not one to seek the spotlight Fred was honoured and humbled to be awarded the Order of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto.

Fred was a warm and gentle man who quietly lived a life of faith and service and through his contributions made each of his communities better for his belonging to them.

We wish to thank the Doctors, Nurses and Social Workers at Mississauga Hospital for their compassion and care in Fred’s final hours. Thanks to the caring staff at Revera The Beechwood. Special thanks to Pastor Susan Climo for her guidance and support throughout Fred’s final journey home.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM followed by a service, in-person and live streamed, at 11:00 AM on Friday May 19th at Church of the Holy Spirit of Peace, 1170 Tynegrove Road, Mississauga ON. A private interment will take place after the funeral.
In lieu of flowers a donation to Church of the Holy Spirit of Peace or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Videoconference link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85033967312?pwd=QStaV3BBWGE0RHczMzZscUkvV3JSUT09

Teleconference: 647 374 4685 or 647 558 0588

Meeting ID: 850 3396 7312

Passcode: 251640