Obituary of Robert William Fry

On Sunday, October 8, 2023, in Falmouth, at the age of 77, we said a heartfelt farewell to an extraordinary man, Robert William Fry, known to everyone as Bill. Born on October 3, 1946 in Halifax, he was the cherished son of the late Robert William "Bob" and Joyce Harriet (West) Fry.

Bill was an accomplished engineer, loving husband, father and grandfather, whose wisdom and humour touched the hearts of those who knew him.

Bill grew up in Halifax with his parents and younger brother, Donald Roland "Don" Fry (Lori Ann Debois). His family lived on Jubilee Road and he attended QEHS. As a teenager, Bill was a member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets National Rifle Team and traveled to England to compete in the Bisley competition in 1964, where he placed second in the young rifleman's Challenge Cup event.

Bill was a model of intellect, ingenuity and practicality. He attended Dalhousie University and earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Engineering from the Nova Scotia Technical College. A lifetime member of APENS and IEEE, he worked in Halifax, Owen Sound, ON, Glace Bay, as well as overseas in Luanshya, Zambia, in Central Africa, and Brega, Libya, in North Africa. Working over 37 years as a professional engineer, he demonstrated innovative spirit and problem-solving skills, earning him respect and admiration from peers and friends alike.

Bill was not confined to the realm of engineering; he had an insatiable wanderlust that led him to explore the far reaches of the globe. His love for travel was a journey of discovery and adventure he shared with his beloved wife, Carolyn to whom he was married 51 years. They traveled the world together, embraced new cultures, made lifelong friends, and reveled in the beauty of the world. Their favorite travel memories included many trips through Europe, Africa and Asia. Over his life, he visited the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Giza, the Parthenon of Athens, the Roman Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, Victoria Falls, Mount Fuji and more.

Married April 3, 1972, Bill and Carolyn lived in Dartmouth where Bill worked for the Defence Research Board and Carolyn worked as a teacher. In 1973, they joined CUSO International and spent two years teaching in Zambia, Africa. Later, Bill worked for Atomic Energy of Canada, at the Heavy Water plant in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, where he was an active member of the Sydney Kinsmen Club from 1978-1984.

Bill and his family moved overseas to Brega in 1984 where he worked as an electrical engineer on the power system for the Sirte Oil Company. In his spare time, he played competitive darts, tennis and enjoyed a busy social life with many expats from all over the world. While living overseas in Brega, he volunteered his time as the children’s softball coach and as a member of the sailing club rescue team through the mid-eighties.

Bill and family moved to Falmouth in 1991, where he continued to work in Libya as a rotational oil field worker. Bill retired in 2007. Later in retirement, he volunteered at the West Hants Historical Society, where he spent time researching genealogy and published a book about First World War soldiers from Hants County.

Bill shared his love of computers and engineering with his three children, Heather Dawn (Scott) MacIntyre, Julia “Robyn” (Trevor) Skaling and Christopher William James “Chris” Fry, who all work in the field of computer software. Bill also had an artist’s eye when it came to photography, capturing adventures and special moments. Many of his favorite pictures were of his travels, his family and his grandchildren, James “Jamie” Ewan MacIntyre (16), Tristan Robert Kenneth Skaling (13), William “Liam” Connor MacIntyre (12) and Grayson Kerry Trevor Skaling (11).

With a cold beer in hand, Bill celebrated life’s simple joys, sharing laughter and stories with those he held dear. His love for blues, jazz and rock and roll music was evident in his impressive record collection and his love of a good driving mixtape. He was also an avid sports fan, leaving behind many fond memories of games watched together with friends and family.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317), where the family will greet visitors on Wednesday, November 1 between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. All who were touched by his company, sense of adventure and humour, are invited to join us in honoring an exceptional man. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the West Hants Historical Society (www.westhantshistoricalsociety.ca/make-a-donation) where Bill volunteered; Hope for Wildlife (www.hopeforwildlife.net/support), one of his favorite local charities or CUSO-VSO (www.cusointernational.org/donate), where Bill supported not just through time and money, but through action and attitude. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.

“We raise a glass in toast to a beloved husband and father.”