Fredrick (Fred) James Larsen, B. A. (English), M. A. (English)
Fred passed away due to complications from cancer on August 31, 2026, just four days after celebrating his 84th birthday. He is survived by his dance partner Lois (Pon, nee Pollock), sons Christopher John of New York City and Joseph Fredrick of Toronto, sister Carol in Abbotsford, and special nephews Gord Chore (Luanne) and Brian Chore (Jane) from B. C. He was predeceased by his first wife Patricia (Maher) in 2002 and son James (Jamey) from New York City in 2003.
Born in Powell River, B. C., Fred was the son of Axel and Florence Larsen. He enjoyed a happy childhood starting at age seven at The Spot, his parents’ motel on Wood Lake in Winfield, B. C., just north of Kelowna. He completed high school in Rutland and spent his final year at a new school in Winfield. After graduation, he attended UBC in Vancouver to earn his B. A. in English. Fate-and a friend named Rhett Davis-led him to Toronto after he graduated where he teamed up with Rhett and Harry Harding to form a singing trio called the Hi-Lites. A few years later, while living in New York City, he met Patricia Maher; they got engaged after just one week of dating and were married three months later. Their son Christopher was born in NYC in December of 1965.
Following the Hi-Lites’ last performance on New Year’s Eve of 1968, the family moved to the Okanagan region. Fred found work with NOCA Dairies in Penticton, B. C., where their second son James was born in July of 1970.
Eager for more education, Fred enrolled in Mc Master University’s graduate English program. The family packed everything-including a banana box for infant Jamey-and made their way back East. After earning his M. A. in English in August of 1971, Fred arrived with Pat, Chris, and Jamey at Orillia where he began teaching at ODCVI that September. When Twin Lakes Secondary School opened its doors in 1972, Fred became part of its founding staff.
Over the next 29 years, Fred had an amazing career working closely with students and wonderful colleagues alike. He would often say that “There wasn’t a single day when I felt I didn’t want to head off to work with students at Twin.” As part of the English department-and eventually serving as Head-he dedicated himself to inspiring students’ love for literature and good writing skills. There was strong camaraderie among Twin Lakes staff members who shared the goal of helping students grow into their best selves before graduating into the world beyond school grounds. Those thirty years seemed to fly by.
During this time as an educator, Fred also became an active member of the Ontario Secondary School Teaching Federation (OSSTF). He served as Simcoe District President twice: once from 1983-85 and again from 1999 to 2001.
He retired from teaching in June of 2001 so he could spend more time with Pat who had been diagnosed with cancer back in January of that year. Tragically, Pat passed away January 2002; shortly after that their son James living then in New York City received a cancer diagnosis himself and sadly died on December 7th that same year.
After doing some supply teaching following Pat’s passing, Fred also taught at Georgian College where he led a first-year Communications course from 2004 until 2010.
In 2005 he decided it was time to return to acting-the years spent as a Hi-Lite included playing Captain Von Trapp during a production of The Sound of Music directed by Jackson Spear back in ’72-so he started rehearsals for Evita as Juan Peron starting November ’04; during rehearsals he fell for Lois Pon who danced alongside him during early scenes. They were married July ’06 and lived together happily thereafter until his passing; they cherished life among “the hills of Medonte.” Additionally，he relished several years ballroom dancing with Lois until pandemic restrictions halted those classes they both loved.
This period also saw him dive into local politics beginning first with the Liberal campaign efforts within Simcoe North back around ‘03 before becoming President for its Provincial Liberal Association-a role held till ’14-as well running as candidate there throughout elections held ’11,’14’, and again ’15 against Patrick Brown leading PC party efforts vying over constituents’ votes believing firmly they’d see benefit when electing Liberals over long-term Conservative representation ahead-even still waiting when life ended.
In recent years , Fred developed deeper connections within Orillia community itself joining Orillia Vocal Ensemble back ‘15 quickly rising up through ranks eventually taking presidency board directorship afterwards followed similarly serving Kiwanis Club locally becoming president there too come ‘19 while also co-founding Sustainable Orillia including contributions treasurer/writer till ’24 initiating contest promoting student art during ‘22 event gaining recognition winning numerous awards such being named Citizen Year honored recently along Ontario Medical Association Community Service Award granted previously or even Civitas Award via Lakehead University awarded more recently than not.
A proud moment came nurturing Arts Orillia evolving ten full years since Huronia Cultural Campus’ inception all stemming initially around ‘15 ensuring thriving arts organization created thereby offering opportunities youth explore creativity gaining confidence & joy expressed through artistic outlets...
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