Friend, colleague, mentor, business partner, Fred Alyea passed away suddenly on June 12, 2013.
Fred was a long-time member and supporter of IWI and the World Canals Conference. He recognized the importance of IWI and the Conference, giving those who work, play and volunteer on inland waterways the chance to meet regularly to share experiences and renew their energies.
He especially looked forward to a boat trip in an area previously unexplored with friends after the conference.
Fred was a founding partner of The Canals Group along with Dave Ballinger, Dave MacDougall and Tom Grasso. He was a key player in bringing this group together in 2007 to continue the work they had been involved in for some 30 years as employees and volunteers. Up until his retirement in 2004, Fred spent his entire work career at the Trent-Severn Waterway operated by Parks Canada, since 1982 as the Director of Canal Operations.
As a long-time manager Fred was both a company man and an employee’s manager. In carrying out his duties, Fred never forgot his days as a green student on the canal construction crew and as a lock operator. He understood the long hours the lock staff worked and its effect on family life. Employees trusted him, sought his counsel and knew they would get good advice, even though they might not necessarily like the answer. He is remembered by many for his leadership role in establishing the Employee Assistance Program both nationally and at the Trent-Severn Waterway. Although sometimes tempering his comments with a twinkle in his eye and assuring you he didn’t know the name of the particular bird or turtle, Fred was truly concerned about the environmental impacts of shoreline development and how those that used inland waterways respected the natural and historic elements of these water routes. Fred, a long-time boater, was able to empathize with boater needs and desires on Canada’s historic waterways and these users felt they got a fair hearing from Fred. It was a bit of a standing joke amongst his friends when Fred was asked if he liked canoeing, his response was God would not have discovered motor boats if he wanted people in canoes. He probably had the most extensive knowledge and experience related to Canada’s historic canals of anyone and was often called upon to participate in studies or panels related to canals and give his succinct and experienced opinions and advice.
Fred delighted in telling stories about his years at the Trent-Severn. He will be remembered by the many people he connected with locally, nationally and internationally.
