Frederick H. SPARLING

SPARLING, Frederick H., Q.C. Died in the Grey Nuns Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta on Monday, July 11, 2005, at the age of 80 years. Fred Sparling was born 24 October 1924 in Battleford, Saskatchewan, the third child of Herbert G. Sparling, K.C., and Blanche Kenny. After serving in the artillery in the Canadian Army in the Second World War, he followed in his father's footsteps, graduating with his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1949. He met Jean E.M. Wilder at university. They married in June of 1948. The couple lived in North Battleford, where Fred practised law in the firm of Sparling & Sparling until 1953 when he was appointed sheriff of the Judicial District of Battleford. They moved to Saskatoon in 1958 where Fred was Registrar of the Court of Queens Bench. In 1959 he was appointed Registrar of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. Fred, Jean and their three daughters lived at 38 Darke Crescent, Regina from 1959 to 1966 and then at 3080 Rae Street until 1967. While in Regina, Fred assumed additional positions including the Directorship of the Saskatchewan Securities Commission. Fred and family moved to Kanata, Ontario in 1967 when Fred accepted employment with the federal government. He was the lawyer for the Bankruptcy Division before becoming the Director of Corporate Affairs. He agreed to stay on as Director General of Corporate Affairs after the usual retirement age, finally retiring in 1992. Fred particularly enjoyed the investigations he was called on to perform as part of his role as Director. Fred and his wife also enjoyed travelling all over the world to attend conferences, other government related work as well as on vacations. Fred's many friends will recall his quick wit, easy friendliness, and integrity. In his younger days he was active with Kinsmen and Masons. He learned bridge as a child and continued to play until the death of his dearly beloved wife on January 2, 2004. In the summer of 2004 he moved to Sherwood Park, Alberta to live with his daughter, Patricia. Fred is survived by his three daughters, Lois Sparling of Calgary, Patricia Sparling of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Joan Migwans of Killarney, Ontario; sons-in-law, Gary Aitken and David Skakoon; and 8 grandchildren, Shayna Skakoon-Sparling, Craig Aitken, Crystal Migwans, Derek Aitken, Stuart Skakoon-Sparling, Rebecca, James and Cheryl Migwans. His family plans to inter his ashes with those of his wife, Jean, in the North Battleford Cemetery in August. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 7/13/2005