Passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on February 11, 2021, in his 85th year. Beloved father to Sherilyn (Jason), loving Papa to Jack Cooke and Hudson Cooke, devoted brother of Ken (Donna), George (Eleanor), Dianne (Ed), Jeanne, and Marlene (David).
Widely known as the “Dean of Bay Street”, Fred retired from ScotiaMcLeod in May 2014, as Director, Equity Trading, after a remarkable career in trading that spanned 57 years. He joined McLeod, Young, Weir & Company Ltd., later ScotiaMcLeod, at the age of 22, in September 1957. By 1988, he was appointed Senior Vice President and Director of Equity Trading, and subsequently Managing Director, Equity Trading. In 1989, he was elected a Governor of the Toronto Stock Exchange and served two years as Vice Chairman before being elected Chairman of the TSE in May 1993 for a two-year term. Over his career, Fred served as Director of the Design Exchange in Toronto and the Anglican Church Army in Canada, and Chairman of the Trillium Health Partners Foundation in Mississauga. In 2012, he received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Guelph/Humber, and was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) in recognition of his extraordinary career in the Canadian investment industry. In 2015, Fred was inducted into the IIAC Hall of Fame. Fred brought Bay Street to Main Street with his broadcast appearances for many news outlets including Global Television, CBN, CJAD, and Newstalk1010, fulfilling his early and original ambition to forge a career in journalism – though perhaps he had the most fun much earlier in life, as a Saturday evening DJ for an Oakville radio station.
His commitment to his industry was surpassed by his commitment to his family. His booming baritone around the dinner table, his “Dad” sense of humour, his request for just one more cold glass of chardonnay, his ability to entertain the dog for hours on end, his insistence that the Oldsmobile was the greatest car ever built, and his dedication to wearing three-piece suits even whilst gardening will be dearly missed. He owned and still wore shoes that were older than his daughter. His collection of ties and pocket squares was unrivalled. He was sentimental, whimsical, and a gentleman to his core. He was a friend to all, and his kindness and generosity was unmatched. He was simply larger than life.
A private family ceremony will be held with interment to follow, with a memorial of Fred’s remarkable life to be celebrated when we can safely come together. An active member of the community in which he lived his entire life, he demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy time and time again. Thus, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trillium Health Partners Foundation, the Riverwood Conservancy, the Alzheimer Society, or a charity of your choice.