Business
Remembering John Fraser: A Courageous Battle Against Pancreatic Cancer and a Life Well-Lived
Discover the inspiring life and career of Professor Sir Henry Fraser, a renowned figure in accounting and risk management, through his autobiography and numerous professional accomplishments.
By Professor Sir Henry Fraser
My brother John – a most amazing man – died peacefully at his home in Mississauga, Toronto, on August 23, 2023. He had courageously battled pancreatic cancer for an extraordinary five years and four months after the diagnosis, and he was deeply grateful for all the time he had to live life fully with his wonderfully caring wife and family during those years.
Only 11 per cent of pancreatic cancer patients live on for five years, so his story is almost a miracle.
John was born on September 25, 1946, at our small home ‘Spooners’, near Four Cross Roads in St John. Our parents were Robert Bob Fraser, the parochial Treasurer of St John, and Lorraine (nee Watson), the postmistress of the parish.
Our father’s office was a walled corner of the veranda of the house, where he managed the affairs of the parish on behalf of the Vestry (parish council) of St John. Our mother’s post office was a single-unit chattel house at the front of the yard, where she worked from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week and half days on Saturdays, dispensing old age pensions. We learnt the golden rule and communication skills with the entire parish by the example of our parents.
John entered The Lodge School in 1955 at the age of nine, making many friends, and throughout school his passion was football. He ended his school days playing for all three school teams and he lived his passion at home and at school. Some of his exploits on the field were legendary at school.
He joined the accounting firm Bovell and Skeete, later Coopers & Lybrand, at 17, and discovered the joy of studying and passing accounting exams. He admitted that a major part of his success was the goal of earning enough money to marry the love of his life, Wendy – Barbadian, and an American Field Scholar. They became engaged in October 1966 and were married on July 1, 1967, in spite of sage advice that they couldn’t afford it.
John’s professional maturity was greatly enhanced by being posted first to the St Lucia branch of the company and then later to manage the new branch in Dominica. One of his clients was Eugenia Charles – later Prime Minister and Dame Eugenia, whom I labelled the Iron Lady of the Caribbean. Tennis replaced his football passion so that he became the island’s singles and doubles champion!
John and Wendy returned to Barbados in March 1971 with their daughter, Heather and infant son, James. Their third child, Todd, was born later in Canada. He finished his ACCA studies, passing the final exam in 1972. Wanting to obtain a Chartered Accounting designation and explore new opportunities, they decided to emigrate to Canada
