Frederick Douglas Morash

FCPA, FCMA, age 73, Bible Hill, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020, in his home with family by his side. Fred was born in Halifax on May 5, 1947, the son of the late Arnold and Elizabeth (Elsie) (Kidston) Morash. Fred grew up in Spryfield and attended Spryfield schools, graduating from BC Silver High School in 1965. As an indication of his future leadership potential, he was President of the Student Councils in both Junior and Senior High Schools. He was in a group of 24 students from Nova Scotia who participated in the first Centennial Youth Exchange program in 1964, travelling by train to Manitoba. He was awarded the Birks Medal for Leadership in Grade 12. He especially enjoyed the annual reunions of his Grade 12 classmates and former teachers.

In the fall of 1965, he enrolled at Dalhousie University but by November of 1966 was restless to start his career and began a 33-year employment with Maritime Tel & Tel (MT&T) in Halifax and later with Island Tel in Charlottetown. Beginning as a Management Trainee in the Accounting Department at MT&T, he quickly rose through the ranks to become General Manager in 1984 and Comptroller of MT&T and Island Tel in 1987. He had enrolled in night classes in 1967 to earn his professional accounting designation and graduated with his RIA (later CMA and now CPA) in 1972. He was President of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors in 1977 and President of the Nova Scotia Society of Management Accountants in 1987. Fred also served on the National Board of the CMA’S. He was elected a Fellow of the Certified Management Accountants of Canada in 1991.

In January 1991, Fred and his family moved to Prince Edward Island where he began the most rewarding phase of his career. Initially Vice-president Operations at Island Tel, he became President and COO and a member of the Board of Directors in 1992 and added the CEO’S title in 1994. In Prince Edward Island, Fred was involved in many community endeavours, including the United Way of Prince Edward Island, where he was a Director and Campaign Chair in 1997, Vice Chair of Holland College Foundation, a Prince Edward Island representative on the Boards of CNIB and the IWK Foundation, a member of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown, a Board member of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, the Capital Campaign for the new hospital in Summerside and several other organizations. In addition to his responsibilities at Island Tel, Fred was on the Board of Directors of JM Schneider Corporation in Kitchener, Ont., and was a member of the Council of CEO’S of telecommunication carriers in Canada.

In 1998, Fred and the CEO’S of the other three Atlantic telephone companies initiated the final plans to merge the four companies into what is now Bell Aliant. This was accomplished in the spring of 1999 and Fred then retired shortly thereafter, having put himself out of a job.

In 2000, Fred moved back to Nova Scotia, to be near his beloved summer place in Bass River. He settled in Bible Hill and had lived there continuously in the colder months since 2002. Fred was active in retirement. He was on the Board of Directors of Christian Blind Mission for many years and ended his service as Board Chair in 2005. He did another term on the Nova Scotia/prince Edward Island Board of CNIB, was one of the initial volunteer announcers on HOPEFM in Truro, served as Treasurer and a Board Member of his church for many years and most recently volunteered as an Income Tax Return preparer for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.

Fred remarried in 2003 to the former Linda Feener, a friend since childhood. They have travelled the world, particularly enjoying many cruises together. Fred’s Christian faith was a very important part of his life and, together with Linda, they actively participated in the work of the churches they attended. Besides Linda, his best friend and wife, Fred is survived by his daughters, Karen Morash (Rick Moore), Shoreham, England; Jennifer Morash, Halifax; sister, Claire Morash, Halifax; and beloved granddaughters, Elsie and Zoë in England. He is also survived by Linda’s sons, Michael, Troy and James; and Linda’s granddaughters, Meghan, Victoria, Rhiley and Kenzie Donkin. Also surviving is his former wife, Carole (Mahoney) Buchanan.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 30th, at 1 p.m., in Faith Baptist Church, 38 Station Rd., Great Village, NS B0M 1L0. Attendance is by invitation only. COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Livestreaming of service will begin at 12:58 p.m., and is available at: www.sharethejourney.ca/events

Burial in Mahon Cemetery, Great Village. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Baptist Church or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:

www.colchestercommunity.com