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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
FRASER, John Roderick (Rod) - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. John Roderick Fraser, at his home in Chester on November 23rd, surrounded by his loving family, Rena Gail, Rena Jo and Mary Suzan.
Rod was born in 1929, in Amherst, the elder son of Mary, née Lusby Fraser and Archibald Fraser, and the adopted son of his uncle, "The Commander." Rod and his younger brother, J. Gregor, grew up in Truro, with summers spent at Shortt's Lake, where he discovered his love of sailing.
Rod was born into a musical family and remained dedicated to music throughout his life.
He studied violin and piano as a young boy and sang in choirs all his life.
Rod joined the Chester Cornet Band in 1959 as a clarinet player. When the band reorganized as the Chester Brass Band in 1983, his desire to stay with the band was strong, so he switched to bass trombone, which he mastered in short order. He served with the band for a remarkable 58 years, playing under seven conductors, until retiring in 2017. He provided extraordinary leadership and served on the executive in a variety of roles. He always encouraged new band members, making sure they felt welcome. Rod was a driving force in organizing the Chester Brass Annual Christmas Gala. He was given a Chester Brass Life Membership in 1991.
Rod attended King's College and Dalhousie, alternating summers with military service with the "Untidys," the COTC. He graduated from Dalhousie University - where he was a proud brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity - with a Dr. of Dental Surgery degree in 1956. He then enrolled at Acadia University, ostensibly to study music, but the real reason was to play hockey; however, this was short-lived. After half a term at Acadia, he began his lifelong mission to provide exemplary dental care to patients in Nova Scotia and abroad. As part of the Canadian Army Dental Corps, he was sent to serve with the Navy on aircraft carriers; first on HMCS Magnificent and then HMCS Bonaventure, where he served in Egypt and Ireland until returning to Canada.
Rod and Gail married in 1958 and settled in Chester, where Rod opened his dental practice over AA Nunn's Pharmacy. His contributions to the art and science of dentistry were evident on the national, provincial and local levels. He was a charter member and the second president of the Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, and served as president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association. He was a Fellow of the American College of Dentists. As a professor who joined the faculty of Dalhousie Dentistry in 1960/61, he promoted the highest ideals of good oral health and instilled in his students the importance of professionalism.
He was the recipient of Dalhousie's Outstanding Alumni Award; he was a natural teacher and a true mentor. Rod continued to work at the Chester Clinic Dental until he was 85. Although retired, he continued to enjoy attending the South Shore Dental Society "Fang Mechanics" meetings until his 93rd year. He was admired by patients and dentists alike and, as a steward of the community, elevated his profession in every way.
Rod played hockey first in the Truro Junior Bearcats. When he arrived in Chester, he played with the Chester Legionnaires, then the Ten Penny's, and has been a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion ever since. Later, he played with the "Old Timers " hockey league till the mid-70s. He thoroughly enjoyed his time on the rink, playing his usual aggressive game on defence, and the repartee in the dressing room afterward. Rod was a storyteller who kept his audience laughing as he shared his many varied experiences. In his 70s, Rod segued from hockey to skiing and was thrilled to go on many ski trips to Quebec and New England.
Rod was a keen member of the CCA (Cruising Club of America) and served as Archivist of the Bras D'Or Post for several years. He taught himself to navigate and became an outstanding navigator, using his skills in the Marblehead to Halifax Races, the BORC offshore racing series, and during Block Island Race Week. Rod sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and chartered sailboats in the Caribbean. He raced Prams, Bluenoses, Chester C's, and then later his three sloops All Goodness, Hardtack and Nor' Easter, but he never lost his love for sleek wooden sailboats.
Rod was Commodore of the Chester Yacht Club at the time of its 75th Anniversary in 1976, and, together with the executive at that time, was instrumental in reinventing Chester Race Week in its current format.
His most recent accolade was receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Award in 2002.
The music that played around the rhythm of Rod's professional life involved sailing mostly, hockey or skiing in the winter, and then "Band" when not partaking of the other two.
Rod was an "A-1" gentleman, true to his profession, his community, and his family.
We will miss his quiet appreciation of things that, through nature, beauty, or hard work, were "All Goodness".
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Nova Scotia Sea School https://www.seaschool.org/
There will be a celebration of Rod's life at the Chester Yacht Club on Sunday, December 14th, from 4-6 pm.
The Water Rat said to the Mole: "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
Ships served in: HMCS MAGNIFICENT HMCS BONAVENTURE
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