Fred’s Story

Site created on February 8, 2021

In January 2013 Fred was diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma (a fancy term for terminal lung cancer). He was given a few months to live. But ever the fighter, he embarked on an 8 year journey of many many many rounds of chemo and countless surgeries in Whack-A-Mole fashion to attack the cancer when it would pop back up elsewhere, including 2 brain surgeries - or as he likes to refer to it: "zapping the zit".  All with a smile and a joke, and maybe a terrible rugby song or two if he really likes you.

In those 8 years he has met 3 new grandchildren and attended many parties along the way. He has truly baffled medical experts all over the world and continues to go through life full force. 

On January 26th he tested positive for COVID-19 and entered the hospital a few days later.  He put up a valiant fight but he was battle weary from a long war. So he went home. ❤️

Newest Update

Journal entry by Lindsay Devries Smelser

It was a crisp, beautiful weekend in Kingston, Canada where my Dad is finally at home and with his parents. 
We had a Dutch minister perform the service with many of his favorite bible verses and songs, the headstone was designed to look like his grandfather’s who he was named after and admired, and we had the chance to see so many dear friends and family after the Canadian border has been closed for over a year and a half. 
In some Canadian history, Kingston is the original capital of Canada before it was moved to Ottawa so the first prime minister of Canada, Sir John A McDonald - the equivalent of George Washington, happens to be Dad’s direct neighbor (the black gate behind him). 
Fittingly, the flower my son chose to lay to rest with him was the same salmon color of Dad’s favorite shirt he sported so often. It gave us all a laugh!


It’s been a long 7 months but we know he would be proud and satisfied with the outcome. 
Now it’s time to rest. 

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