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William John Fraser
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Educator, historian.
Born at Winnipeg on 5 June 1939, son of William Fraser and Margaret Appleyard (1911-2000), he attended the University of Manitoba and received an BA degree in 1963 and an MA degree in 1966, writing for the latter a thesis on the history of St. Johns College. His career in education spanned 33 years teaching history, geography and English at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in Winnipeg.
In the 1960s, he became an active member of the Manitoba Historical Society. He first served on its Executive as Treasurer in 1967, holding various other positions into the 1970s. Subsequently, he edited the Manitoba Pageant (1973-1979) and chaired the Margaret McWilliams Medal Committee for several years. He rejoined the MHS executive in the mid-1980s and served as President (1990-1992). He was editor of the MHS newsletter Keywords. He chaired the MHS Museums Management Committee (1995-2003) responsible for the operation of Dalnavert Museum and Ross House Museum, and was an executive member providing liaison with the museums. He was also involved with the Fort Garry Historical Society.
In 1972, he married Shirley and they subsequently had three daughters. The family lived in Fort Garry and had a summer cottage at Pistol Lake. He was an active member of the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd.
He died at the Deer Lodge Centre on 13 August 2026 and was buried in the St. Vital Cemetery.
His articles for the Manitoba Historical Society:
A House with Many Memories 1902-1976
Manitoba Pageant, Volume 22, Number 1, Winter 1977Bishop Grandin Remembered
Manitoba Pageant, Volume 24, Number 2, Winter 1979Review: Ghost Towns of Manitoba: A Record of Pioneer Life by Helen Mulligan and Wanda Ryder
Manitoba History, Number 48, Autumn/Winter 2004-2005
“May 23 is the big day for these U of M grads,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 May 1963, page 23.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 5 September 2026.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 17 September 2026
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