FREDERICK ERNEST BINNE

June 27, 1944 – July 18, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick Ernest Binne, a cherished husband, devoted father, proud grand father and dear friend on July 18th, 2023, at the age of 79 after his valiant battle with cancer leaving behind a profound legacy of strength and dedication that will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him. A celebration of life will be held at 603 Wellington Crescent, on Monday, July 31 with formal programming to begin at 2pm.

 

Fred was born on June 27th, 1944, in Winnipeg to Ethel and Arthur Binne, where he grew up in West Kildonan with his sister Eleanor Krovats.  As a youngster, he would be surrounded by his close friends Sandy Spence, Jerry Weselake, Dennis Boyd, Freddie Arnold, and Burt Harvey to name a few. Like a scene from Sandlots or Huck Finn, they would be swimming in the Red River or borrowing hay bales from behind the Seven Oaks Museum to build forts behind Mrs. McGowan’s. Fred also spent many years at the YMCA and obtained his Masters and Instructors levels. He became a Leader at Camp Steven and instructed swimming to cadets at Camp Shilo.

 

He was a prodigious athlete and scholar, having played first base for the provincial hardball team and having been invited to attend Olympic trials for the national swim team. Fred opted instead to complete his schooling at West Kildonan Collegiate and pursue his high school sweetheart Lillian Binne (nee Lutack). Perhaps it was his fort building experience with his friends that led him to pursue structural engineering at the Manitoba Institute of Technology and launched a career that would have a meaningful impact on the people of Manitoba. Throughout his career, he was chief engineer for the City of East Kildonan, a bridge designer, a land developer, environmental engineer, and a consultant for the Manitoba Water Services Board where he specialized in water and waste management.

 

Fred had many professional accomplishments for which to be proud of, but to Fred, his most cherished accomplishments involved family. The winters involved clearing a rink on the lake for his children, Alan and Christine, to spend endless hours learning to skate. And he laced up his own skates to coach both their ringette and hockey teams. After a few seasons of smearing Vaseline on freezing faces and rubbing frozen toes between periods on the outdoor rinks, he took on the presidency of the local community centre where he spearheaded the construction of Southdale's first indoor ice rink. Fred also had a deep love for cross country skiing, shooshing down the trails at Bird’s Hill Park and Windsor Park Golf Course with Lillian or close friend Dave Farlinger. And when done with the cold, Fred looked forward to moving indoors to tackle his Sudoku puzzles or a good game of bridge with Lillian and close friends.

 

Fred's summers were spent on the shores of the Winnipeg River at his favourite place, the family cottage. Card games and a Toby off the floor. Evenings were spent sitting around the table at night in the original cottage with Lil, his mother Ethel, sister Eleanor, and brother-in-law Murray while niece and nephews Norine, Jim, and Neil listened in from the bunk room. Through the years, Fred redesigned and rebuilt the cottage, expanding and making improvements always with family in mind. Countless hours were spent paddling, sailing, windsurfing, and pulling Christine and Alan around the channels on skis during the six o'clock calm. Fred was first up making the coffee or crushing cans from the night before. Morning was always his favourite time, and nothing beat an early morning coffee on the dock with his loving wife Lillian.

 

In retirement Fred greatly enjoyed history and took to researching his family's past and he made lasting connections with family around the world from England to Australia. Over the years, Fred enjoyed his trips with Lillian to Mexico and Jamaica, absolutely loved Portugal and visited many other countries in Europe, spent several winters in Southern U.S., and explored Canada coast to coast. With visits to Christine in Ottawa, they fell in love with the East from Kenora to the Maritimes, exploring small townships and taking in the fall colours.

 

Despite Fred’s near superhuman strength and indomitable attitude, cancer took him too soon. Fred leaves behind his wife Lillian and two children Alan (wife Kaitlyn and children Ethan, Adélie and Éléah) and Christine (partner Darryl). Fred took great pride in his children and grandchildren's accomplishments and speaking of them would bring an easy smile to his face. He also cherished his sister, Eleanor, sister-in-law Dorothy (Akin), and many relatives and dear friends.

 

Thank you to the friends and family who came to visit during Fred’s battle with cancer. It meant so much to him and to Lillian, Alan and Christine. Thank you for the support, warm thoughts, and precious memories of this truly great man. Our deepest thanks to the team at Cancer Care Manitoba, the nurses and staff of Riverview Health Centre Palliative Care Unit and the caring staff at Jocelyn House. You do an important and meaningful job for which we are extremely indebted.