Shocked beyond belief. This wonderful, happy, gentle, intelligent, curious, caring and loving man was my neighbour and friend for almost all my time in Canada. My heart is broken. Warm hugs to Heike and Nik

Fred's warmth, kindness, and humour will be deeply missed. He and Heike have always been so welcoming and caring for Nik's friends. The Spohrs' home is the place of so many cherished memories - lunch periods spent hanging out, movie nights, parties. Fred and Heike even conspired engagements in the garden! They've played such an integral role in my life.

When I think of Fred, his smile and laughter fill my mind. It's this that I'll miss the most.

I'm so glad to have spent the time with Fred that I did.

Love and thoughts are with Nik, Heike, and family.

How do you choose to share just one memory about a wonderful man like Fred? His priority was his family, Heike and Nik were always the greatest loves in his life. He taught us what being a family man really meant. His passion for learning and trying new things never failed to amaze us all with every new idea he had. His enthusiasm for life inspired us. Fred taught us there’s always room to grow.

An endearing quality of Fred that is dear to our hearts is how he could tell a story. He had an unforgettable laugh. Sitting at our round dining room table during one of our regular visits with Heike and Fred, there was never a time where we weren’t enjoying each others company.

Years of endless laughter and love were shared with Jennifer and Fred growing up together. He gave Natalie the confidence to take on any business adventure with passion. He gave Izzy undivided attention no matter if she told him about her toys when she was 5 or wanting to learning about digital art at 12. He always showed a genuine interest no matter what we were doing by lending a helping hand and unconditional support.

Three generations of Murdock girls were blessed to call this man their Uncle. Our Freddy Fox.

If there’s anything he taught us it was to be yourself in the most unapologetic authentic way and always make time for some biscotti.

Heike, Nik and Nicola we are so sorry for such a great loss for you three. We take comfort in knowing all the beautiful moments you shared together. His love is every where you look. Fred will forever be in our hearts.

My Dearest Heike, Nik and Nicola our sincere condolences to you all. I hope the love and support of your family and friends will see you through the difficult days ahead.

Fred was a dear friend, Jimmy and I got to really know him and Heike over the years as they were my Parent's neighbours for decades. When my parents moved from Milton to Brantford we got to join the " Adults" and became part of their Euchre club, and that is when we really got to know Fred and Heike. They became part of our extended family.

Fred was a great cook and a host. From the moment you entered their house he made you feel welcome. That is who Fred was. We would take turns hosting at each others houses and spend the evening having dinner followed with some cards. We really looked forward to when it was Fred and Heike's turn to host as Fred would always make these authentic delicious meals like Rouladen. Then they would come to our house and they would be served things like over cooked roast beef. But Fred never complained. Every time it was our turn or my parents turn, Fred would still show up with this gigantic green plastic bin overflowing with food and drinks. ( Always the host, even when it wasn't his turn}

Fred also shared a love of music. We shared lots of the same likes and he introduced me to some new bands that I had never listened to before. Once when it was our turn to host Euchre night, Fred showed up with his own music collection and even his own speakers. Having just bought new Bose speakers that I wanted to show off, I remember looking at Fred and saying, " yeah no we are good for music tonight" Heike laughed and said,"Fred what were you thinking"?

Fred was also passionate about politics and anyone that knows me, knows that I am too. That used to make for some rather interesting conversations, sometimes heated. But we both knew that at the end we would both simply agree to disagree and there would be no hard feelings.

Fred was the kind of guy that what you saw is what you got. He was probably one of the most unpretentious people I have ever encountered. He was kind, he was decent and he loved to laugh. We shared many laughs over the years with

many backyard get- togethers where we would all partake just a wee bit too much and laugh and laugh.

We will miss you buddy. Till we meet again.......... Kim and Jim

I am deeply saddened by the our loss of Fred. He was a wonderfully person who I will always remember fondly.

He pushed me to be my best and to think critically about the world around me.

He was always looking for an entrepreneurial angle. Once it was a wooden table I made other times asking me when I would start an electrical business he was always encouraging me to go out on my own. He loved to say “you should market this” In that matter of fact way he would.

His energy was contagious and talking to him made me feel like anything was possible.

I am very grateful to have known him and will cherish his memory.

All of my love and strength to Heike and Nik.

There are no words we can say that would cover the sadness we feel over the death of our very good friend Fred you will be missed. in the 30 years we lived next door to you I don’t ever remember us having a bad word with each other except when playing cards we have been known to say the odd word of frustration. For Pat he’s going to miss his theatre buddy and his partner in Euchre and I am going to miss our deep conversations and lots of laughs together.

Our hearts were broken when we heard of Fred's passing. Our deepest condolences to Heike, Nik, and Nicola. May wonderful memories and funny stories (and there are a few) bring you peace.❤❤❤

Everything said in the heart-melting obituary and comments here resonates with us. We remember meeting Fred and Heike for the first time at Nik and Nicola's engagement party, and even in that busy environment, in a short conversation, we felt genuine interest, attention and warmth from them both, and by the end of that interaction we were eager to see and talk to them again. What was amazing, yet unsurprising given our experience, was that it seemed everyone who met them felt the same. Despite having that breadth of empathy and kindness for so many, Fred had the deepest love for his family. He will forever inspire us to try and give that experience to others we meet. We feel so fortunate to have met Fred, and so infinitely sad at this incredible and sudden loss. In memory and values, he will stay with us. Our deepest condolences to Heike and Nik.

Dear Heike and Nik,

Our deepest condolences for your loss. Fred always had a smile and probably the driest sense of humour I have come across.

I will keep the vision of Fred at a disco in 1973. I imagine him in a 3 piece, white bell bottom suit. It makes me smile. Because of that thought Fred will always be “Stayin’ Alive” in our hearts. I can hear him laughing.

Keep well, Dave

There are no words that can express my deepest regrets over the loss of your husband. Fred was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met and it was an honour to have known him all these years. My deepest condolences to his family. I pray his memory will bring you peace and comfort over the coming months.

Fred and Heike's home was a fun place to visit while I was growing up. Whether a small get-together with a family and friends boardgame, movie or soccer match, or a New Years party with seemingly no limit to the number of teenagers invited for a safe, kick-ass bash Fred and Heike had the cool-parent thing absolutely nailed.

Like our childhoods and Milton New Years parties all good things must come to an end some time, so losing Fred was expected but that makes it no less difficult. The world is less without Fred but some of his finest qualities of empathy, patience, intelligence and passion can be seen clearly still in his son, Nik.

My sincerest condolences to you and your family. The two of you were a strong pair, held together by your love for each other. May you continue to draw strength from the memories that you made and from those around you.

Fred has and will continue to have a huge impact in my life. If it wasn’t for his guidance, I’m not sure where I’d be. I’m not sure how to put in words the sense of loss his passing will leave. But this is about memories, so I’ll focus on that.

Reading some of the memories above, it appears that others have a similar experience to mine. Fred made you feel valued, intelligent, and worth his time. It had a profound impact on how I viewed myself during a troubled time in my life. This sense of self identity allowed all that followed.

I will miss the genuine feeling of support and acceptance I got receiving one of his enveloping hugs.

You will be missed Fred, you will live on in your and our family memory.

My heartfelt condolences to his family Heike, Nick, and Nicola.

I have many memories from high school going over to Nik's place, for lunches, after school and other events. Fred and Heike were always so welcoming to the bunch of teenagers invading their home, and visiting Nik's house and meeting them made it so obvious why Nik was such a great person.

I can vividly remember that Fred would talk with us often about any number of subjects, and despite that we were a bunch of kids, he was kind, he listened, and he treated everyone like we were important.

I also very distinctly remember when speaking with Fred, that he always made me feel like I was saying something worth listening to. It really made an impact on me.

Fred treated us all like family, and I think back on those visits fondly and often.

I feel truly grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with Fred, and I am so deeply sorry that he's gone.

My most heartfelt condolences go to Nik and Heike.

Fred Spohr always has been, and always will be an amazing human. We, as Nik’s friends, have always been gravitated to the amazing relationship between Fred and Heike. When Nik

hosted New Years’ Eve parties year after year we always found ourselves spending hours of party time talking with the two of them. Fred and Heike were a pair for the ages. Their conversation, relationship advice and life stories have contributed immensely to who we are as a couple today. We mourn the loss of Fred more than words can describe, and we wish we lived closer to give his family all the hugs and listening ears that they need right now.

Fred was certainly an optimist, very very cheerful and always ready to step up to the plate for his son Nik. I regret not spending more time with him...

Our sincerest condolences to the family.

While we met and knew Fred through his parents and our beloved neighbours - Ernie and Erna Spohr - our memories are of a kind and gentle man, always with a smile on his face.

Our thoughts are with you all, particularly Nik, Heike and our dearest Erna (Oma).