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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
FRALIC, Robert Allen - Age 86 of Porters Lake passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2023. He was Born on August 26th, 1937 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Robert had many titles throughout his life; Husband, Dad, Daddio, Pops, Papa Georgio, Poppa, Poppy, Big Poppy, Uncle Bob, Great Uncle Bob, Robert, and of course…Bob.
He is survived by his children, Christian (Susan), Angela Lessard (Kevin), Danielle (Dennis), Nicholas, and Esther (Weldon); his grandchildren, Jillian (Andrew), Jaclyn (Richard), Ashley (Cory), Jamie (Alanah), and Sophia Maria; great grandchildren, Julia, Emma, Eva, and Nora.
He is also survived by his sister Diane Stubbs (Dave); Brothers Clarence (Irene), Myles Rattray, George Rattray (Rose); brother-in-law Maynard Delahunt; special friend Nita Harcourt, and many nieces and nephews He is predeceased by Marie (nee Getcheff), his loving wife of 49 years; his father, Clarence Edward, grandmother Rhoda Arenburg; and his sister Patricia Delahunt.
He was always strumming a guitar and singing a tune at an early age. When he turned 12, his family moved to Ottawa. As a teenager he attended Ottawa Tech, where he received his early musical training, taking voice and Opera classes. In 1956, after he finished School, he joined the Navy, as an Aviation Tech, which brought him back to Halifax. He sailed abroad on many ships, earned the nickname ‘Fritz’, and started to entertain and perform on the ship and in ports all over the world including those in Europe, the US, and throughout the Caribbean.
It was during this time as a young naval seaman he met, wooed, and married his wife Marie. In 1965, the two settled in CFB Shearwater, where they raised 5 children until a posting sent them back to Ottawa in 1980. From there they went to CFB Goose Bay, Labrador where they enjoyed meeting new friends and acquaintances and Robert continued entertaining and playing guitar in groups or going solo. In 1984, Robert took a final posting back to CFB Shearwater, and moved the family to Porters Lake where they built their forever home. Robert received many accolades during his time served in the military including the Order of Merit. Robert, PO 1st Class, served in the RCAF for 30 plus years until his retirement in 1986, and joined the Coast Guard for two years, followed by one year with the Reserves.
Robert was involved in many groups throughout his life including; St. Mark’s Choir, Coastal Country Music Association, Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association, the Mushabooms, Eastern Ridge (band), the Veterans Group, and many more. He volunteered his musical talent at nursing homes, schools, fundraisers, and he especially enjoyed accompanying his brother Clarence (in Nova Scotia & Ontario) whenever he had the chance. Robert also loved jamming with his son Nick, son-in-law Dennis, nephew Ryan, and anyone else who wanted to join in and sing, hum, play a harmonica, tap the spoons, play the drums, or shake a tambourine at many family gatherings and parties.
In 2013, he was inducted into The Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame. He will always be known as Nova Scotia’s Singing Cowboy, and he always credited his successes in life to his wife Marie. With a kind heart, a velvet voice, and a guitar in hand he has joined his Marie and all of his Silver Screen Idols. ‘Happy Trails to You, until we meet again’.
The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses, LPNs, recreational staff, maintenance, kitchen staff, patient aides, and the rest of the staff at 6 West Jubilee, Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Hospital, for their care and compassion to our father, who sends chocolate from Heaven to all.
In lieu of Flowers, Donations can be made to Hope for Wildlife and the Shearwater Aviation Museum Foundation.
A service will be held at Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main St., Dartmouth, NS, Visitation on Friday, October 13th 2-4 and 6-8. Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 14th, 2pm.
Happy Trails to You, until we meet again.
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