Obituary of Jakob Fries

On January 5, 2022 after a 10 year battle with cancer, Jakob (Jake) Fries succumbed.  Born in 1930 in Cymric Saskatchewan, Jake traveled first to Strasbourg as a youngster and then through various communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan through his 42 year career with the Royal Bank and the subsequent 31 years of retirement, which he spent in Kannata Valley, Regina, and Strasbourg.  Jake was predeceased by his parents, Jakob and Maria, as well as seven brothers and one sister, including their spouses.

Jake met the love of his life, Irene (nee Gorrill), when he was 16 and began dating a year later. They married in 1952 and have enjoyed 69 years of partnership, intimacy, and adventure.  Jake and Irene had three children – Kim (Sandy), Farley (Patti) and Colleen (Scott McLeod).  They have delighted in 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Jake succeeded at almost everything to which he put his mind.  He was always an excellent athlete (baseball, hockey, golf, skiing when he was 75, etc).  He climbed to a high level in the Royal Bank through his career, but he truly shone in civil service.  He initially participated in and ultimately became president of the Lakeside Lions Club in Regina, the Steinbach Minor Hockey Association, the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club, the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association, Brandon Rotary Club, and the Brandon Heart and Stroke Foundation.  During retirement, he became the mayor of Kannata Valley and served for a short term as the President of the Regina Seniors Association.

Even with this heavy schedule, he always found time for his family, participating and coaching in all three of his children’s endeavors in baseball, hockey, golf, figure skating, and other activities.  He thrived in those roles, gaining his children’s love and admiration.  When he and Irene retired to Kannata Valley, his focus moved to his grandchildren and with access to the lake, he added water skiing, knee boarding and fishing to the activities he shared with his offspring. 

Still, Jake and Irene found time to travel to different parts of the world.  As well as visiting coast to coast in Canada, they spent time in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Australia; and wherever they went they made lifetime friends.  Many of those friends they engaged in companionable but competitive games of Bridge.

The family would like to thank Palliative Care at the Pasqua Hospital and Dr. Heinz and the Strasbourg health team.

A private family service will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 11:00 am. Interment and a Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2022 when Jake’s friends can mingle.  Friends and Family so wishing may donate to the charity of their choice.