It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick Hartmut Heese on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in his 81st year after a brave battle with colon cancer. Frederick was predeceased by his parents Gerda and Arnold Heese and his brother Richard. He is survived by his loving spouse Joan, his children Karen, Stephanie, Mark (Janet), Marlon (Lauren), Christine, Carolyn (Robert), Laura (Jonah) and Skye, treasured grandchildren Justin, Kristen, Mars, Mitchell, Mikayla, Markus, Maddie, Lukas, Markus, Ava, Liam, Siena and Sydney, sister-in-law Ingrid, nieces Virginia (Mattias) and Kristina (Darren), great niece Alexandra and great nephew Oskar.

Fred was an Olympian (Tokyo ’64) in the C2. He was a dedicated paddler all of his life. He had a long career in marathon canoe racing (one of Canada’s best) after his sprint career (with Cartierville, West Rouge, Mississauga, ’64 Olympic team – 7th place). He represented Canada at Canoe Marathon World Championships in his late 40’s. He eventually turned to dragon boat and competed well into his 50’s and represented Canada at several world championships as a paddler and a coach. He coached Team Canada to Dragon Boat World Championship gold (recruited many former national team sprint canoeists, like Larry Cain, Doug Tutty, etc.) and founded the Toronto Dragon Boat Festival. He paddled daily at his cottage in the summers and worked out every day at the YMCA, near his home in Westmount, Quebec.

Fred was many things to many people – a soul-mate, devoted father, doting grandfather, loving uncle, great friend, Olympian, marathon canoeist, teacher, coach, author, dancer, singer, world traveler and patron of the arts. Few people have managed to touch so many lives with such love, strength and positivity and his presence will be deeply missed by all that loved him.

The family will receive condolences on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Mount Royal Funeral Complex. On Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. the family will receive condolences in the Mount Royal Chapel with a service being held from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel. A reception will then follow from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the reception room, adjacent to the chapel at the Mount Royal Funeral Complex, 1297 chemin de la forêt, Outremont, H2V 2P9.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, Segal Cancer Center, in honour of Frederick Heese (http://secure.jghfoundation.org/goto/frederickheese).