Arthur Frey

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Art Frey following a massive heart attack. He was enjoying the 80th year of a life well lived. He will be desperately missed by his partner of 30 years, Isobelle McFadyen, his step-daughters Treena (Rob) McAlpine, Laurie (Bryan) Kish and his two very special granddaughters Rianna and Megan Kish, as well as countless nieces and nephews and other extended family and friends.Art was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Dula Frey, brother Mat Frey and sisters Isabella Deters, Lucy Trepanier and Ruth Mullie. Due to a family member being out of country, a celebration of Art's life will be scheduled and announced when arrangements have been completed. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the CCU staff at RUH as well as to Drs. Wells and DeVelliers and to the STARS medical crew and ambulance attendants who cared for him in transit.

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Art was born to Jacob and Dula Frey December 10th, 1934, and was raised on the family farm with his brother Matt and sisters Isabella (Deters), Ruth (Mullie) and Lucy (Trepanier) who have predeceased him.

Although he always loved the land, he felt he would have a better life if he found work in Saskatoon. So, with only a few dollars in his pocket, he began looking for work, which he soon learned was hard to come by. Consequently, satisfying meals were few and far between, which no doubt accounted for his life-long love of good food.

Among his many passions were those he loved and those he loved to spend time with. He cherished family get-togethers, camping trips and holidays; looked forward to every last hunting and fishing trip with his buddies; and always enjoyed a good game of kaiser or poker in the evening.

He considered the years spent living at Blackstrap Lake, some of the very best and was always busy doing something while living there - right up to the very last day: building houses, tending the garden, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, seadooing, water skiing, visiting or just relaxing on his pontoon boat - his signature “Artism” if there ever was one.

His memory will be cherished forever by Isobelle, his partner of 30 years, his step-daughters and their husbands Treena (Rob) McAlpine, Laurie (Bryan) Kish and his special grandaughters, Rianna and Megan, as well as his nieces, nephews, and other extended family along with a myriad of dear friends.

Anyone who knew Art would immediately recognize his signature song, Down By The Riverside. Although it was a spiritual song sung originally by Southern slaves, ironically, it often found its way on to Art’s construction sites, where he undertook the work he loved. A friend once asked him if he knew the rest of the song. He replied with a big grin, “You mean there’s more?”

“I’m gonna lay down my heavy load,

Down by the riverside,

Down by the riverside,

Down by the riverside.”

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We would like to thank each of you for being a special part of our lives, and for making Art’s life a much richer experience for having known you.

His family and his friends were always a priority in his life, and the outpouring of support we have received from each of you in these past few weeks, has shown us how much he was loved and how much his memory will be cherished - not only by us, but also by each of you.