Obituary of Fred Iley
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in his 99th year, Fred Iley passed away peacefully at West Shore Village in Port Perry. Dearly loved husband of the late Norma (nee Yates). Beloved father of David (Lynne), Stephen (Sarah), Kevin (Liz) and Heather (Mark Phillips). Much loved grandfather of Matthew (Nadine), Mike (Tara), Meghan (Mike Mikkelsaar), Beth (Jamie Noskiewicz), Alison (Russ Jackson), Lorraine (Ryan MacLennan), Scott, Brian (Rebekah) and Laura Phillips. Adored great-grandfather of Noah, Madeleine and Olivia Iley, Leyton and Beau Iley, Harrison and Theodore Jackson, Callum MacLennan, and Kate and Lucas Mikkelsaar. Fred will also be missed by the family of his second wife, Hammie Oosterlo (d. 2017) with whom he shared 13 happy years.
Born in England, Fred moved to Canada as a child with his parents, Seth and Florence (nee Dodds) and soon welcomed a baby sister, Elsie (Janes, d. 1990). He attended Danforth Technical School in Toronto where he learned many skills including woodworking which became his life-long hobby. During WW2 he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war, he earned a degree in Engineering Physics at the University of Toronto and, later a BA. Through his long career as a Professional Engineer at Ontario Hydro, Fred was responsible for planning the distribution and transmission of electricity throughout the province.
In 1949 Fred married Norma Yates with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage before her untimely death in 2000. Together they built the cottage on Sugar Island on Gull Lake that became Fred’s favourite place on earth.
A devoted family man, Fred loved children and spent many years leading the Sunday School at Knox United Church in Agincourt. His own children have great memories of the rink he created on the corner lot, of the many hours spent as a hockey dad in arenas, of the hours spent teaching them to swim, canoe and sail at the cottage, while his grandchildren treasure the wooden toys he crafted for them in his workshop and the fact that he was there to cheer them on at many a recital, game or graduation.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Fred’s personal care team who made his years at West Shore Village comfortable.
A Celebration of Fred’s Life will take place at the Port Perry United Church, 294 Queen Street in Port Perry. on Monday, May 29th with visitation at 2 p.m., a Service at 3 p.m. and a Reception to follow. If desired memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.waggfuneralhome.com.
For the livestreamed service, please visit the church’s website, www.portperryunited.com.