Obituary of Fred Kingsmill

Peacefully, in his 91st year, Fred passed away at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Clarissa "Claire" (née Barker); son Timothy (Laurie); daughter Anne (Craig) who provided excellent care in his final weeks; grandchildren Ryan Knoll, Glynn Smith, and Emily Kingsmill; great-grandchildren Jayden and Hazel; and nieces and nephews and their families. Fred is predeceased by his father George Frederick Kingsmill, his mother Netta May Kingsmill (née Nixon), and his sisters Netta Brandon and Doris Hoskins. Fred was a proud graduate of the class of ’51 at Ontario Agricultural College and he was a founding member of the first board at the University of Guelph. He was the President of Kingsmill’s for 33 years, having been the fourth generation to own and operate the historic department store in downtown London. He was a Mason with an honorary 33rd degree—the highest honour bestowed by the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite. Fred received numerous awards over the years, most notably the William Mercer Wilson Medal in 1988, the Ontario Citizenship Award in 1991, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He was inducted into the London Business Hall of Fame in 1999. He was on the Huron College board of directors for many years, a hard-working member of the Kiwanis Club of London, and played a key role in the creation of University Hospital—now London Health Sciences Centre—as a member of the London Health Association. He further involved himself in civic affairs through the Red Cross, the Western Fair, the Canadian Club of London, and the Covent Garden Market, among many other organizations. Fred was a farmer, a businessman, a philanthropist, and a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was humble, generous, soft-spoken, and selfless. He sought no recognition for his work; he performed kind deeds quietly and often. Two of his favourite sayings were "be of good cheer" and "do well, doubt not." Fred will be remembered as a good listener, perpetually cheerful, and a truly remarkable man. The family wishes to thank everyone who made it possible for Fred to spend his final days at home. Visitors will be received at the Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street, (Between Waterloo and Colborne Streets) London on Friday from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. A Masonic service under the auspices of Centennial Lodge #684 A.F. & A.M. will be held in the funeral home, Friday at 6:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond Street, London on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Private family interment in Woodland Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, sympathy would be best expressed through donations to the London Consistory Club or the London Scottish Rite Learning Centre. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Saturday, May 18, 2019 Service Time 11:00 a.m. Service Location St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond Street Visitation May 17, 2019 Visitation Time 2:00 - 4:00 & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Visitation Location Logan Funeral Home Burial Location Woodland Cemetery Requested Charity London Consistory Club or London Scottish Rite Learning Centre