Frederick “Fred” Charles Gilliland of Kamloops, BC passed away peacefully in Hospice on Friday, September 16th 2022. He was born in Bowden, Alberta on October 31, 1932. Fred was never afraid to try new surroundings and relocated multiple times in his 89-year journey. Including along the way France, California, and various Alberta and BC locations.
Fred (aka Fredly, Dad, Grandpa Fred, Uncle Fred, Corn Flakes) will always be remembered for his loyalty, intense drive, his unforgettable wit (bad jokes), love of song and singing and his sheer presence. His family and friend connections were of the utmost importance to him.
Fred was also a man of many vocations – while his eventual trade of choice was that of a steamfitter, he was also for a time a delivery man, flipped burgers, was a bank teller, served in the U.S Armed Forces, was a lineman, sold real real-estate, graded grain, acted in film, greeted at Walmart, and the list of jobs goes on.
Fred was predeceased by his beautiful wife Maxine (nee Dundas), his mother Hazel, mother-in-law Ada, father Albert, brothers Bob and Jim and sister Shelagh Harris. He was also predeceased by his amazing little four paw pal Auggie Dog.
Fred is survived by his two sons Blaine and James and daughter Beth (Lizabeth) Also their spouses Melinda, Leesa, and Robert Hanham and his 5 grandchildren: Tait, Jack, Connor, Errol Hanham and Alec Hanham. His brothers-in-law Jack and Ron, nieces, nephews, cousins, grand doggies and cat were also very dear to him.
The family wishes to thank his wonderful attending physician and friend, Dr. Mavis Hollman, the caring staff at Ridgepointe Retirement Residence and the Royal Inland Hospital and the amazing care team at Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Home for their tender loving care and support.
For those who wish, donations may be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home, The SPCA or the BC Cancer Society.
Fred’s Memorial will occur in 2023. Details to follow.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577
11 Tributes
Dear Blaine & Family,
My sincerest condolences. I had the pleasure of knowing & working with Fred for many years. Benji
I had the pleasure to meet Fred at the Royal Canadian legion he was 1 of my favorite people he had just lost his beloved wife we talked for hours about his family and his adventures I will miss our talks from bartender mandy
To Fred’s family…my sincere condolences…I met Fred after the passing of his beloved Maxine. He would come into my gallery and sit and chat… A lovely, kind gentleman who loved his family and loved life. With warmth, Tricia
Blaine and family
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing, he was always a positive person to work with and had a great sense of humour. Our deepest condolences. Wayne and Tracy Bernier
James, Leesa and Connor,
I’m deeply saddened by your loss! He sounded like an amazing person. Memories last forever.
Barb Perrett
Blaine and Family…The best to you after your loss. Fred was one of the best supervisors the Pulp Mill ever had. At one time he was in charge of the Project Crew of which I was one of two electricians. One morning Fred came into the shop and asked us what was up for the day. I explained the job at hand and he just gave us a blank stare and said “You guys know I’m not an electrician, right?” He then said that if we ran into problems, call me and I’ll try my best to figure out what to do. Great guy to work for and he supported all that were under his supervision. Tom Dunn
To the Gillian’s families,sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad, Leo and I had many happy chats with him.
Leo and Edna Brietzke
Our sincere condolences. We always enjoyed visiting with Fred, the many stories and kind words he had for all of us here. He was a wonderful man, we’re blessed to have have had the chance to know him.
Hi all and my warmest thoughts to my little known relatives of this tremendous man and historian of the Gilliland family and the many family branch’s of it’s tree. I first connected with Fred through my search for information of my great uncle Norman Walter Gilliland ( Fred’s uncle and his father’s younger brother) who was killed in Belgium in 1944. Although I had the war records, Fred’s outstanding memory was instrumental in painting the picture and character of a man I only knew from a handful of pictures and stories I had heard from my Grandmother Irene Hohn and my great Grandmother Florence Bryanton. Because of Covid and through our many telephone conversations Fred shared his love of his wife Maxine, his children and his many relatives, such that I felt a connection with this part of my family tree that I have never known. Thankyou Fred, I wish we could of met, your wonderful radio voice was so full of of life. I wish you great peace and my sincerest respects to your family.
Wade Pierlot 778-242-8085.
Hello to Fred’s family.
My condolences to the family. I recently heard of Fred’s passing. I listened to many of his stories with my late husband Roy Walton . I believe they were cousins. Roy and Fred sat many hours reminiscing of the times they had in Bowden. I had kept in touch with Fred later and had great talks. He surly will be missed Dorothy Walton
JANUARY 26 2023
I just learned OF Fred’s death today and am thinking of his family. Fred and I had many great conversations after my much loved cousin Maxine, Fred’s wife died. Fred had a remarkable memory and I as a genealogist loved his stories of our families.
Condolences to Beth, Blaine and James and there children and grandchildren.
Will miss our phone conversations and his lovely strong voice. Kay Jamieson Calgary