Frederick Thomas Chapman

With sadness, the family announce the passing of Fred, a caring and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, who was a role model for his hard work to create a wonderful life for his family. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Monica Chapman and his grandson Kyle Chapman. Dad, Papa is lovingly remembered by his daughter Susan Saksun, son Steve Chapman (Kim), and grandchildren Claire Saksun, and Jay Chapman. Born and raised in Aylesford, Kent, England, he graduated from technical school at fifteen years of age, and began his career as a draughtsman with Reed Paper Mill in Aylesford. He joined the Royal Artillery as a surveyor in 1944 until 1948 and returned to work at Reed and, at the same time, graduated from technical college as a chartered engineer, which is the UK equivalent of a professional engineer in Canada. At Reed, Fred progressed to various engineering positions until immigrating to Canada in 1960, with his wife Monica and two children. He worked for one year with the Kimberly Clark design construction team, building a kraft mill for Irving Pulp and Paper in St. John, NB. They returned to England where he spent two years as development engineer responsible for a thirteen machine paper mill in Aylesford. In 1963, the family moved to Quebec City, where Fred was a senior project engineer, working on the Prince George Pulp and Paper construction project and two years later, came to Prince George, BC as Assistant Resident Engineer, responsible for equipment installation. Later, Fred looked after the civil and structural design phase of a second mill, Intercontinental. In 1968, he became resident engineer for both mills, holding a variety of senior positions, the last as Manager of Purchasing and Contracts. After retiring in 1983, Fred and Monica moved to an idyllic and well deserved life in Victoria, BC., where he renovated their home and created a beautiful flower and vegetable garden, golfed three times a week at Uplands Golf Course, and carved wonderful wooden toys, animals, and inlaid boxes for his family. Until his last few years, Fred excelled in sport. He was an avid and competitive long distance runner, tennis and table tennis player, and umpired international table tennis tournaments in England, where he also played cricket and soccer. Fred made the best of cold Quebec winters by making skating rinks in the back yard. He coached his son's soccer team in Prince George. Raising two children, he participated with them in many activities, encouraging them to try a variety so they would be well rounded, before focusing on a specialty. These included skiing, badminton, curling, bowling, and of course, golf. He was Vice President and Director of the Prince George Golf and Curling Club, but when his son excelled in golf and was headed for a career as a touring pro, he was known as 'Steve's dad' at the club. Late in life, after developing Diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Necrotizing Fasciitis, he handled them, like everything, with stoic grace and dignity. He was a kind, generous, and thoughtful man, and he will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please, if you wish, donate to any of the above causes.