Frederick (Fred) Joseph Kodnar

It is with heavy hearts we announce our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Frederick Joseph Kodnar has passed on January 2, 2025. Our small family is feeling a great loss.

Fred was predeceased by his mother, Elizabeth who was born in Croatia and was a seamstress and his father, Michael who was born in Austria and was a steel welder. He's also predeceased by his brother, Norman who was a design architectural draftsman.

Fred was born in Toronto and as a youngster, he was always finding odd jobs selling newspapers, picking tobacco leaves, portering suits on Spadina Avenue. He could also occasionally be found playing pool in a variety of cafés. Later on, he developed a love of the outdoors. He loved nature, always noting the temperature, wind, stars, and the number of geese or ducks passing overhead. Able to spot wildlife and landscape oddities with ease he instilled powerful observation skills in his family and introduced his family to memorable times of goose hunting and hiking , but especially fishing from the ocean to the lakes of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. His 48 inch Muskie proudly hung in his office. 

Married almost 69 years to his loving wife, Mary they met in Toronto at the Marathon café. Fred proposed to her in the shoe department of downtown Sears. They raised two daughters, Linda and Lorie, giving them a grandson, Erik and a great-granddaughter, Jessie Jane. 

His community college drafting evolved to electrical motor control sales and education which relocated his family from Toronto to Calgary in 1969. His work ethic and perfectionism was solid - always available to offer best methods to build or renovate. For a challenge in the 50’s, he helped a friend wallpaper a ceiling and later his self built double garage was probably out of alignment by less than 1/32 of an inch. He drove many crazy with “just a minute just a minute” before making a decision or action.

He regularly wrote editorials to the Herald newspaper becoming an activist for appropriate spending of taxpayers money. 

Appreciative of comedy and jokes he encouraged his grandson to develop a sense of humor at an early age explaining stories, and such of life’s ups and downs.

No matter what sport Fred endeavored, he excelled. He loved baseball, basketball, lane bowling, hockey, refereed community hockey, hiking (the Chilkoot trail), golfing and cross country skiing. However, his latest passion was Lawn Bowling serving on the Alberta Bowls board for a time and always saying he wished he started when he was younger and encouraged everyone to get outside and learn to bowl.

Fred enjoyed travel to Expo 67, Disney World, Italy, Sweden, Arizona, California, Hawaii and Alaska also adventures like helium balloon rides for his 65th birthday and gunslinging enactments of the old west. He was also a movie extra for the series Damnation filmed in Alberta. 

Fred participated in the Calgary food bank, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas and supporting other charities like the Mustard Seed, Dream Centre, War Amps, wildlife conservation groups and helping out in Ducks Unlimited. 

Fred did not serve in the Korean War, but he was appreciative of all those who did and he felt a huge respect for the fallen in all wars. Remembrance Day was a special day of acknowledgment.

Fred did not smoke or drink, but he loved ice cream, any cake, cookies, butter tarts, (molten from the microwave), watermelon, pizza, and chocolate Easter bunnies (the ears came off first). Always saying he has to save room for goodies.

Fred survived melanoma and a heart attack. He spoke of a dream he had meeting Saint Peter at the Gate. He was told it wasn’t his time. So sadly this was his time. Fred did not wear black and so black was not worn at his final farewell. 

Fred was loved by his family and respected by friends and his workplace. He will be greatly missed, loved and admired.