Thomas Dudley Fry (Tom) was born in NorthToronto on September 5th, 1939.

 
Beloved husband of 35 years to Jane Fletcher; amazing Dad to Rob (Jennifer), Pierre (Julie), André (Shereen) and Patrick who he loved with all his heart ;cherished brother to Peter (BettyLou), Kate (Frank), Sydney, Mary-Jane(Art), Joanne (Paul), Susan (Bob), Edith (Wendy),George (Lynda), Ruth (Bob), and Sam (Melanie); revered brother-in-law to Eric (Lyne) and Susan (Chris); and loving grandfather to Emilie, David, Nicholas, William, Jérémie, and Léo. Tom was also an adored uncle to many nieces and nephews from coast to coast.
 
He is being welcomed with loving arms in a happier place by his parents, Archie and Mary, parents-in-law, Harold and Mary-Lou, older brother Peter, sister Sydney and brother-in-law, Bob.
 
Tom attended Allenby Public School, North Toronto Collegiate Institute, the Ontario Teachers College and York University.
 
Tom was a fun-loving, conscientious, hard working boy growing up; a diligent student who excelled and loved sports, especially track and field and basketball. As an adult, he loved downhill skiing, golf and squash.  

In any gathering, Tom was the first on the dance floor or to break into song with the harmonica which he was taught to play by his Dad. He led sing-songs with energy and life and brought a smile to many a face.
 
With his gift and way with people, especially young people, he found his calling in teaching. As an elementary school teacher, guidance counsellor and principal for the Toronto Public School Board, he touched the lives of many children, parents and teachers alike in the Inner City schools of Toronto. Under sometimes difficult circumstances, using his great sense of humour, kindness and love for people, he helped to inspire a generation of kids.
 
Tom lived his life to the fullest, travelled the world, and loved nature as an avid bird watcher and cottager. While he travelled far and wide, Fry Island in Muskoka was his favourite place. 
 
From the age of 12, he spent every summer there, eventually building, with his own hands, a cottage for his growing family. It was, until the end, his happy place and refuge from the world.
 
He worked hard his entire life, dedicated to his teaching profession, even well outside normal working hours. He had a thirst for knowledge, was a voracious reader and crossword puzzle solver but, above all, a legendary jokester and storyteller sharing his love and wisdom with family, friends and grandchildren.
 
Tom was a true gentleman, a kind soul, always putting others ahead of himself and lending a helping hand. What mattered most to Tom was his family and the greatest gift he leaves to them are the memories and stories of an extraordinary life lived with integrity, honesty and grace.
 
As his body began to fail him, his spirit never died. Tom passed away on October 27th, 2021 surrounded by his family and friends who will miss him deeply.
 
A celebration of his life will be held at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto (416-485-5572) on Monday, November 22nd, 2021. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon. The celebration of life service will begin at 12:45 followed by the committal service. A live feed of the service and a link to the condolence book will be available through
https://mountpleasantgroup.permavita.com/site/ThomasDudleyFry.html?s=110.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Michael Garron Hospital (https://www.mghf.ca/inmemory) or the Ontario Wildlife Foundation (https://www.ontwf.org.) Proof of full vaccination, along with government issued ID, are mandatory to attend indoor funeral services for those age 12 and older. Masks are required.