Obituary of Frederick Douglas Nott

Frederick Douglas Nott passed away at Fredericton's Hospice House on October 17, 2021. Left to mourn are his wife Anne Burnham MacLeod, son Alex (Jenna Martineau), grandson Rowan, granddaughter Rosie, step daughters Jill (sons Jesse & Noah), and Megan (husband Wade, children Michaela & Gavin) and numerous wonderful nieces and nephews. Fred is survived by his brother Graham (Keagan), by his sister Allison and his sister-in-law Carol. He was predeceased by his father George, mother Jean and his brother Andrew. Born in Montreal, Fred grew up in the suburb of Pointe-Claire, where he played football, and golf. He was a youthful employee of the local golf club, Elm Ridge, eventually becoming assistant pro. With his grandparents resident of Bathurst, he spent a portion of his New Brunswick summers on the family farm; forging an early attachment to his future adopted province. Fred, as a man of some height but with a striding finesse, chose to journey to Moncton to take policing courses upon high school graduation. Having completed the program, he was recruited by the Bathurst City Police Force as a Constable, which augmented his grace and unflappability under stress. Always academically inclined, after 5 years on the force, chose to enter the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton campus. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Fred was selected as a Beaverbrook Scholar, attending New College of Oxford University. Upon returning to Canada, Fred was the co-founder and CEO of the New Brunswick Wood Products Group central to Fredericton. In that role, he played a guiding presence in the forestry and lumber sector for over 15 years. An industry colleague remarked that "Fred was a connector. Diligent, honest, personable and highly respected." Always interested in the political sphere, both provincial and federal, our Scholar played a pivotal role in many a campaign for the Progressive Conservative Party over the decades. Fred served as Chief of Staff to the late Hon. Keith Ashfield, at ACOA, at Revenue Canada and in the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans. Always defined by the work he did, and being seldom idle; Fred was recruited away from his short lived retirement to his alma mater UNB at one of the university's centres of excellence and development, the Wood Science and Technology Centre at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry complex. A role that matched Fred's many years of expertise in industry with his experience in government. The travelling Fred, who could be researching the forest sector in British Columbia or at the tip of South Africa, also found the call to volunteer duty in his Fredericton. Many will recall observing this tall gentleman engaged in roasting turkeys and preparing pounds of potatoes for many a fundraising function. He once glibly stated that his 'avocation' was the truly efficient use of a potato masher. Through the many years of his contribution to his community, his province, and his country, Fred always reflected upon this section of the Bobby Kennedy eulogy... "Few have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of a generation." Fred, the husband, the father and the grandfather profoundly believed in those positive individual contributions. His quiet confidence, positive insights and always gracious understanding will be missed by all who knew him. Arrangements have been entrusted to McAdam's Funeral Home. A private service for family and friends will be held at a later date.