Obituary of Rowland Cardwell Frazee, B.Com

FRAZEE, ROWLAND CARDWELL,B. Com, CC - Peacefully, surrounded by his family, on July 29th, 2007 in his 87th year. Devoted husband to Marie for 58 years. Sadly missed by his son Stephen, daughter Catherine (Patricia Seeley), daughter … in- law Katherine, granddaughter Laura and grandson Patrick. Survived by his younger sister Barbara Thornton, her daughter Nan (Colin Stewart) and fondly remembered by his three sisters … in law (Anita Logie, Kaye Ransom and Louise Long) and many nieces and nephews. Born in Halifax, NS on May 12, 1921 to descendants of United Empire Loyalists, he grew up in St. Stephen, NB, where his father was the manager of the Royal Bank. Like so many of his generation, Rowlie Frazee enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1941, serving overseas with the Carelton and York Regiment, First Infantry Division. He was wounded three times, once when his cap badge deflected a scrap of German shell which otherwise might have ended his life. After the war ended, Rowlie studied at Dalhousie University (Kings College) in Halifax where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1948. He joined the Royal Bank that year and worked his way up through the ranks in various management positions in five different provinces. A signal that he was headed to the top came in 1973 when he was made Executive Vice President of the Royal Bank in 1977, Chief Executive Officer in 1979 and Chairman in 1980. He was often sought after to serve as director and served on many boards over the years including Royal Bank of Canada, Ganong Bros Limited, UNB Board of Governors, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, Air Canada, Newfoundland Capital Corp, Continental Airlines, The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Kings College Board of Governors, Home Support Services (Charlotte County, NB) and NB Investment Management Corporation. He also served as Chairman of the Business Council on National Issues, National Chairman of Junior Achievement of Canada and served three terms as Chairman of the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission. During his career he received many awards, including honourary degrees from six universities (Acadia, Dalhousie, Kings College, Mount Allson, UNB and York) and in 2001 was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame. In 1985, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1991. He proudly wore his Order of Canada lapel pin for the rest of his life. Rowlie was always proud of his Maritime heritage and he and his wife Marie enjoyed a very happy retirement in St. Andrews, NB where he worked at improving his golf game and tending to his beloved rose garden. His passionate zest for life and public spirited persona was epitomized in a 1983 biography entitled “Big Banker with a Heart”, which praised him for his work for numerous charitable and educational organizations. Rowlie Frazee will be remembered as a brave soldier who served his country, a respected businessman, an eloquent speaker and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Our thanks to Dr. Brian Peer, Dr. Julia Wildish and the team of Extra Mural caregivers for their kindness and dedicated professionalism. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care & direction of MacDonald Funeral Home, 20 Marks Street, St. Stephen, NB (506 … 466 … 3110) from where the first visitation will be held on Thursday afternoon from 2 … 4 pm only and then the second visitation will be held on Thursday evening at All Saints Anglican Church, 75 King Street St. Andrews, NB from 7 … 9 pm only. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 3rd, from All Saints Anglican Church at 2:00 pm. A reception will immediately follow the service in the adjoining church hall. Donations to the Callie Frazee Memorial Fund of Christ Church Anglican Church, St. Stephen, NB; c/o 30 Prince William Street St. Stephen, NB E3L 1S1 would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be placed or this notice viewed at www.macdonaldfh.com