Timothy John Fraser

It has been said that “all the world’s a stage.” This particularly held true for Timothy John Fraser. Indeed, he was one of the players. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a perpetual performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and was always willing to share that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Tim, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark, or the twinkle of an eye. Tim truly mastered the art of living and had great fun throughout his journey.

Tim first stepped onto the stage of life on July 12, 1953. He first greeted the world at Fort Fairfield Community General in Fort Fairfield, Maine. He was the second of five children born to Mattie and Colby Fraser. His dad farmed for a living but his life was cut short when he was in his 40's, so the children grew-up without a dad. Tim's few memories of his dad were precious to him since he was only five when he passed away - running to the mailbox to get the mail and riding on his shoulders were a few. He grew up on Strickland Road in Fort Fairfield, Maine. Even as a child, it seemed as though he had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring, and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention and since he had 3 brothers and 1 sister, there were many fun things to do. They played outside until Mattie made them come in after dark. Little did she know that they often snuck out the bedroom window to continue their fun once she had retired for the night.

Always a good playmate, Tim was easy-going and fun-loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even in the middle of family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, he managed to find satisfying solutions to basic problems. He could see all sides of a dispute and managed to bring in his sense of humor whenever it was needed. Tim's grandparents were John and Caroline Simmons Fraser. Grammie would cook dinner every Saturday night for everyone. Tim's extended family included the Churchill brothers, and their mother Madeline. Tim enjoyed working with family and friends on their farm, and there was always room for a few more at meal time at Madeline's table.

The farmhouse was in the country where we shared life, love and family. All of Tim's playful good nature carried over into his childhood. He had an outgoing personality, a lively imagination, and a rather laid back, go-with-the-flow approach to life. He was constantly on the go. As a result of this, he experienced a rather active childhood and this suited him very well. He enjoyed sports as a child, especially baseball. He enjoyed being involved with different groups, such as Church and band. He went to Fesseden Elementary School in Fort Fairfield, Maine, and was a member of The Future Farmers of America.

Tim was drawn to both individuals and crowds. He frequently used his gregarious and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality led to him having many friends, such as Jerry, Ronnie, Brent, Lisa, and Cathy. He developed a love for animals and pets at an early age and this was evident in his relationship with his dog, Chum. He enjoyed taking Chum hunting. Tim loved going to the beach every summer, and eating lobster. Even though Tim's dad had died, his mother always took the family somewhere during the summer break.

With the knack for being able to find a joke in just about any situation, Tim was always ready with a laugh. He wasn’t the type of person who would say or do things to be unkind or garner all the attention. Rather, Tim simply enjoyed seeing others have a good time and to hear their laughter. As for grades, it could be said that they may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. For Tim, experience was the best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying a practical approach to knowledge. He graduated from Fort Fairfield High School where he really liked Mr. Clark, his Agriculture teacher.

The high school years were not just about the classroom for Tim. There were a lot of other exciting and interesting things to do and see. He found it easy to become a part of a lot of different groups and activities. This quality allowed him to develop new relationships and continually widen his circle of friends. Tim was a hard worker and an extremely caring person who would do anything he could to help out a friend in need.

Tim understood responsibility and took it seriously. This was obvious in a number of different ways. After school, Tim worked at on the farm working with the Churchill boys. His first car was a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner which he had bought shortly before meeting Susan -- his bride to be.

Tim was a very easy person to approach, simply by being so emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate. Susan Janice Grant Fraser learned this firsthand. The Grants had moved to Fort Fairfield that spring to pastor the Pentecostal church there. Tim was attracted immediately, but it took Sue a little longer to warm-up to the idea. Overall, it was a done deal one night after church when Tim kissed her is a Sunday school classroom. Tim and Sue's first date was a double-date with a cousin of Tim's. They went for ice cream and a long drive in that pretty red Roadrunner. At that point, Tim and Sue both realized they were soul mates and meant only for each other.

They exchanged wedding vows on February 11, 1972. The bridesmaids were Penny Rollins, Sharon Grant Craig, Sherri Churchill, and Debbie Churchill. The groomsmen were Paul Fraser, Peter Fraser, and Blair Churchill. Maid of Honor was Laura Drost, Best Man was Ronnie Doughty, and Ring Bearer was Blair Churchill. They had a large wedding with more than 500 friends and family in attendance. The service was officiated by Sue's father Roy Grant, Harold Churchill, and Marshall Smith. The reception was held in the church fellowship hall. At the reception, Sue almost caught her veil on fire from a candle on the table.

Following the ceremony, Tim and Sue didn't really have a honeymoon. Tim had been layed off one week before the wedding. So instead, they went to their apartment where they ate Dunkin Donuts, and he brushed out her long hair, something he had wanted to do all the time they dated.

He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings and that was especially true in marriage. In that way, he tried to bring joy and harmony to the household. Like most young couples, they lived rather modestly. Their first residence was a small apartment on Academy Street in Presque Isle, Maine. The first house they purchased was a new split level home on Bridgeport Court, Presque Isle where they spent 7 loving years before moving to a larger home.

For Tim and Sue, their marriage included sharing old friends and meeting some new ones. Some of the couple’s friends during this time included Marilyn and Gaylen Doody. Tim, Sue, Marilyn, and Gaylen were inseparable. They did everything together including going to church twice through the week and twice on Sunday and spending time together in between as well. They also shared trips to Niagara Falls and the coast of Maine.

Tim loved to "trap" in the woods of Maine to bring in a little extra money for the family, and during the winter, ice fishing became a favorite sport to enjoy. Danny and Terri, friends of Tim, were always there to enjoy the moment. Other friends of the family were Bob and Patty Shaw and our kids played together. We all went to the same church and socialized as much as possible. Spaghetti or pizza at the Frasers became a frequent after church occurence.

Tim seemed to have an endless appetite for new activities. A generous person who often found himself involved in activities that he felt were important. He was charitable, kind, and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, he was a member of several community groups. Tim had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Tim's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. Tim was involved in his church where he played the drums, and Sue played the piano.

Perhaps the reason Tim related so well to youngsters was the fact that he was always a kid at heart himself. This quality helped him in raising his own family. It was as if he remembered the way it felt to play and have fun as a child and so he tried to keep that feeling alive in his own family. He had two children, Cameron Roy Fraser and Candi Fraser Hollar. They wanted more children, but it was not in God's plan. When Tim's mother came to see Cameron in the hospital, she said to Susan, "I didn't come to see you, I came to see the baby!" Cam was an adorable little towheaded child with a wonderful smile and beautiful eyes. Two years later, Candi was born; she was beautiful and long blond hair topped off her beauty. However, we never knew when we might find her on the steps, totally naked, painting her toenails. Tim raised the children in a safe and nurturing environment, filled with fun and wonder. Their house at 13 Cook Street, Presque Isle, Maine was "society central", and they had lots of friends and wonderful fellowship with all. Tim had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with his children, that is where all of his attention was directed. If working, the same applied.

He tried his best to be a good parent. Part of that was sharing his love of animals, and that showed with Chum, a german shepherd, and Sheri, a poodle. In later years, we had Lacey and Leather for poodles. Leather never missed an opportunity to ride on the "John Deere" to mow the lawn with Tim. Then there was Kiela whom Tim loved dearly. She went everywhere Tim went, be it camping or just for a ride into town. Coco was the latest addition to the family. If Tim was home, Coco was with him. He would jump into the truck and just patiently wait there for hours in case there was somewhere to go. Coco layed on Tim's lap the last week of his life, as if he knew our days were numbered.

Tim also carried over the fun into family trips and vacations. We enjoyed a trip on the motorcycles to Wisconsin for the 100 year Harley Bike Rally. Another year, they all took a cruise to Alaska with Bob and Pat Shaw, and Sharon, George and Isaac Craig, Susan's sister and family. Trips to the White mountains, Bar Harbor, Maine, Florida, the Outer Banks and many other places will be remembered by all.

Later on, he was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Ashley Ann Hollar, Shelby Lynn Hollar, Amber rae Fraser, Heaven Leigh Fraser, Chloe Danielle Hall, Dusti rae Hollar, and Dylan Brady Hollar. The family is saddened that the youngest children won't have the chance to know Tim, but we will work to keep his memory alive for them.

At work, as in life, Tim was a real "people person." He had a very successful way of working effectively with others and his enthusiasm and energy were often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Tim was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the best option. Being a down-to-earth thinker allowed many to see him as an excellent problem-solver. Tim's first full time job was working on the farm. His primary occupation now was working as a technician at Draka Cemteq. Tim made a number of new friends in the workplace, due to his outgoing personality. He managed to wrap himself up in all sorts of activities during his career. Tim went on business trips to France and Brazil and continued to stay in touch with people he met there. Tim was employee of the year in 1995.

Tim enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He was the kind of person who liked creating things. Some of his favorite pastimes were camping, riding motorcycles, spending time with the guys at I-40 Express, and spending time with Sue and the family.

Tim developed a number of favorite things throughout his life. Tim loved riding motorcycles. He and Sue shared an extraordinary love for one another for over 40 years. Although things weren't always easy, their love grew and will never die. When it came to food, Tim thought anything Sue fixed was perfect. He never got up from the table without thanking Sue for the meal and telling her how good it was. If you met Tim just once, you were his friend, and he would never forget you. He would also help you any way he could.

Tim occasionally read books by Louis L'Amore. Sitting down and watching a movie or television show was always something he enjoyed. He loved watching the History Channel, National Geographic, hunting and fishing shows. If any program ever showed a gazelle catching and eating anything smaller, you just knew he was watching it. He also enjoyed Country and Gospel music.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Tim recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. Tim belonged to the Pentecostal Church. His religion was in his heart and soul, and he lived it everyday. He was a shining example of a true Christian. Tim's favorite activities were anything he could do with his family.

Tim was counting the years to retirement. He and Sue had planned to load up the camper, and see all they could see, stopping when and where they chose, and staying as long as they liked. Tim and Sue wanted to grow old together. The week before the accident , they were sitting on the porch. Tim was reading the newspaper while Sue read a book. Cameron drove up and asked what they were doing. Tim's reply "practicing getting old!"

Tim Fraser left us on April 1, 2011. He took his last breath at home while Sue held him in her arms. He was 57 years old. The cause of death was a cardiac embolism due to a motorcycle accident he had 9 days earlier in which he suffered many broken bones. He was preceded in death by his father, Colby Fraser, mother, Mattie G. Fraser, a brother, Paul Fraser, a sister-in-law, Debi J. Morin, a nephew, Isaac Craig, and his mother-in-law, Winnefred Grant. He is survived by his wife Sue, son Cameron Fraser, daughter, Candi Hollar, brothers Steve and Peter, sister, Penny, grandchildren, and many extended family members. Services were handled by Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home. Tim was laid to rest at his home in a memorial urn.

Tim was the light of Susan's life during more than 39 years of marriage. They were more in love everyday and often spoke about how unusual it was. Sue says she will forever miss the twinkle in his eye, and when he winked at her she still got weak in the knees. Her words to him " I will continue to love and honor you until I die, My Sweet Man".

Tim was always sharing a good laugh and bringing joy to all of those around him. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and a zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Timothy John Fraser lived life to its fullest and made everyone happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.