Richard "Rick" Allan Frazer

Richard (Rick) Frazer, of Swan River, died on December 21st at the Medicine Hat Hospital after a long struggle with esophageal cancer.  

Rick was born in Swan River on September 25th, 1945, where he attended primary school and high school.  After high school he studied at Brandon University to acquire a teaching certificate.  He taught in Birch River and Benito Manitoba for two years before moving to Edmonton Alberta to start a local moving business with a friend. While in Edmonton he met Jackie Chaykowski, of Medicine Hat, and they married in 1970 and they had their first son, Kevin, in 1973.  In 1977, the family moved back to Swan River and added another son, Corey.  Richard worked for many years in the office of Cox’s grocery store doing accounting and payroll, followed by Riddell’s Plumbing and Heating. In 2017, Rick and Jackie (and his beloved dog Maggie) moved to Medicine Hat to be closer to Jackie’s family, with whom Rick was also very close.

Rick was well known in Swan River and surrounding communities due to the public facing aspects of his work at Cox’s and Riddell’s as well as his activities with the Lion’s Club and membership of the Swan River Curling Club.  He loved golf, playing cards, the outdoors and road trips with the family.   His yearly fishing trip to Elbow Lake was very special to him.  Those who were able to share that place with him cherish many warm memories.  He will be remembered as being hard working, generous to a fault, and giving of himself to his friends and family.  He had an understated wit, an easy laugh and the mischievous twinkle in his eye. His quiet stoicism through Jackie’s declining health, and then his own was remarkable. He took his changing life circumstances as they came and did the best that he could to enjoy what time he had left, even getting cataract surgery in both eyes although he know he wouldn’t have much time to enjoy his crystal clear vision.  He was a wonderful father, husband, brother and friend, and will be sorely missed.

Rick is survived by his son, Corey; sisters, Doreen Phimister (Don), Susan Fraser (Robert), Joanne Frazer (Ken); and his brother, Ken Frazer (Eileen).  He was predeceased by his parents, Bena and Harold Frazer; his wife, Jackie; and his son Kevin.

A small private memorial will be held in Medicine Hat. A public memorial service will be held in Swan River, MB in June of 2025.  He and Jackie will be laid to rest in Swan River Cemetery at that time.

Donations in Richard’s name can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

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