(Chief Warrant Officer, ret’d)
Passed peacefully away at his home in Wilmot, Nova Scotia on Monday, August 20, 2018 at the age of 79, following a valiant battle with cancer. Fred will be deeply missed by Gwen (Lennox), his wife of 56 years; children Fred, Debbie (Randy), Ken (Ann-Marie), and Chris (Julie); siblings Elizabeth, Brenda (Bob) and Evan (Jennette); grandchildren Cassandra, Jacqueline, Emily, Nolan, Caitlyn, and Brooklyn Rae; and many nieces and nephews. Born February 21, 1939 in St. John’s, Fred was the son of the late Fred and Elizabeth (Newell) Purchase. Well known in the 1950's as a goaltender with both Prince of Wales College and the Guards football teams, as a teenager at PWC Fred developed a passion for photography, a passion which led him to a job as photographer with the St. John's Evening Telegram. Wanting to develop his skills even further, Fred joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957, where he remained until his retirement in 1995 having advanced to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Along the way Fred received many awards and accolades including the Order of Military Merit, presented to Military Members who have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty. A formidable card player and a man of keen intellect, Fred was known by his family and friends as "Mr. Fix-It." But he will also be remembered as a man who gave willingly of himself and his time when it came to helping a friend or a neighbour. A Celebration of Fred's life was held at the Legion Hall in Kingston, Nova Scotia, on August 25th. His ashes will be scattered around the waters he loved so much - in both St. John's and in his adopted home of Nova Scotia. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.