Frederick A. Nachbaur

It is with deep sadness that my mum, Marion and I share with you that Fred, my dad, passed away in the early hours of January 2, 2023 at the Civic Hospital, Ottawa.

Frederick was the elder of 2 sons to Ethel Pugh and Adolph Nachbaur; he was born in 1926 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England.    He had one younger brother, Eric (deceased).   He met his beautiful sweetheart Marion, also of St. Albans, and married her in June 1945 in St. Albans. Fred was with the 4th Dorsetshire Regiment in that war, as a soldier adept at the Bren Gun and a fine "sharp shooter",  and was in the front lines as the enemy retreated to Berlin. In Borne Holland, Fred was picked one April day to be the first allied soldier to cross a bombed-out bridge into that town, and is held in high esteem to this day for that part he played in their liberation.    He was carried high upon shoulders for a celebration of freedom that went on for a few days, a hero.   Many years later, the town of Borne invited Fred to return in 2019 for their Liberation Celebrations as a hero;  however the Covid crisis prevented us from attending.  Rescheduled for the following year, again rebuoyed at the thought of returning to their town, Covid continued and the celebrations cancelled once more.    This was a major disappointment to Dad.

Upon returning to England after the war, Fred and Marion started their wonderful, loving marriage of 77 years, living and working in St. Albans, surrounded by their families and many friends, and had many happy holidays at the seaside in England, while dreaming of emigrating to Canada. They did emigrate 9 years later with me, their young daughter, Angela.   Upon arrival in Ottawa, within 24 hours, Dad was employed by Agriculture Canada's Animal Research Plant in the Poultry Division on Carling Avenue with whom he worked right up to his retirement.

Dad was an avid target shooter.    He joined the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association in 1958 and over the years, held senior positions within that club.    He never missed a Wednesday night shoot at Connaught Ranges.  Saturdays were spent from early morning until suppertime shooting at Connaught and Sunday evenings pistol shooting in an indoor range in downtown Ottawa's Justice Building.    He was respected for both his knowledge of guns and his gunsmithing talents, and not least of all, his charming, genuine and warm personality.    His stories of his times in the war were told, and retold over the years, at the club, and at Coup's hunt camp in the Lanark Highlands, where he was the "senior member", regaling one and all with his stories around the fire at night.    In 2010, Dad was chosen as Vice Commandant for the Canadian shooting team at Bisley, England in 2010, where he met shooters from all over the Commonwealth.     He always competed at the national level for the Queen's Cup at the Dominion Day shoot, as well as holding Canadian Senior Marksman for several consecutive years.

Fred was the kindest, dearest, most loving dad to me, ...  my hero and "my rock" .  I couldn't love you more.

Many thanks to the kindnesses of the Civic Hospital Palliative Care Team, and Dr. Paula Smith for her care over the last few years, and thanks to the Carleton Place Terrace staff for their kindness and care during dad's final months.

Fred is survived by his darling wife Marion, loving daughter Angela, cousins the Wharton clan in the UK, niece Susan in Victoria, great niece Miriam and great nephew Rob of Halifax, and many, many dear friends, far and wide. - you know who you are, and thank you for loving him as we do.   A celebration of my dad's life will be held one warm sunny day this spring.  In lieu of flowers, kindly please donate in dad's memory to The Ottawa Hospital, or the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.

Sleep well, Daddy. xxxxx