Obituary of Frederick Dell Ruddle

Frederick Dell Ruddle passed away peacefully on February 18th at Chelsey Park Longterm Care, London Ontario. He was born May 28th, 1937 to Fred and Carrie (nee Dell) Ruddle in St.Catherine’s, Ontario. Survived by step-children Nancy Hilborn (Dan), Patricia Bobier (Wayne) and Paul Roberts (Louise), dearest grandchildren Quinton, Aidan, Holly, Kai, and Taj, sister Audrey Derii (Gord), and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by wife Wendy (nee Sutherland), brothers George and Clark and their spouses.

Fred was a kind, gentle, intelligent man with a strong sense of duty to family, friends and community.

A lifelong athlete, he was proud of his accomplishments. As a high school oarsman on the St. Catharines rowing team, he won the Henley Gold Medal. An avid curler for over 50 years, he coached youth and played for teams across Southwestern Ontario, Greater Toronto, and Grey Bruce. He curled in seven Provincial Championships. He began skiing on his honeymoon in 1985 and continued till relocating back to London, Ontario in 2017. As a member of the Owen Sound Golf and Country Club and then Legacy Ridge, he celebrated three holes-in-one.

In 1961 he graduated from Ivey Business School at UWO and began his work life at T. Eaton Company. He switched careers in 1965 when he began teaching in the business department at A.B.Lucas Secondary School, becoming department head for 10 years. He then completed his accounting designation (RIA) and worked for D.H. Howden Co. In 1980 he began working at CIL/ICI where he continued until retirement in 1998. He was delighted to receive his Chartered Professional Accountant designation at the age of 76.

Life took Fred from rural St. Catherine’s to London, Guelph, Toronto, Aurora, Owen Sound, and back to London. He maintained a strong bond with his university buddies especially Reg Johnson, Peter Hancock and John Snelgrove. He made friends wherever he went through his sports and community engagement. Fred volunteered with the Festival of Lights in Owen Sound for 17 years and joined the Silver C’s to build connections with other civic minded gentlemen. He and Wendy hosted countless friends and family at ‘Ruddlewood’, providing visitors with hand-carved walking sticks as they hiked sections of the Bruce Trail. He often voiced his joy at becoming ‘Poppa Freddie’ and hosted the kids for a week each summer, cementing the bonds with the next generation. Since moving back to London, he became a devoted caregiver to his beloved wife Wendy. She loved him dearly. Fred will be missed by former colleagues, friends, neighbours, and family. He lived a full, rich life.

Many thanks to the Chelsey Park staff who cared for Fred since August of 2023. He would say he was content.

A celebration of life will take place at a future date.