Fry, William Gordon (Tony)

FRY, William Gordon (Tony) – 87, of Toronto and Creemore, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025. He was born on June 29, 1937 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the youngest of ten children. Tony is survived by his wife of 56 years, Catherine (née Isnor); his two daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie; their husbands, Ralph and Mark; and his five grandchildren: Sage, Stella, Simon, Gwen, and Cate. He was a legendary “G”, well known for spoiling his grandkids with love and sweet treats when their parents weren’t looking. Though predeceased by his nine siblings, Tony remained close with many of their children and grandchildren, as well as his brother-in-law Ken Foran and sister-in-law Cecilia Fry. Tony dedicated more than twenty years of his career to the YMCA before founding Tony Fry and Associates, a management and leadership consulting company. In retirement, he launched a not-for-profit organization, Rent-A-Youth, aimed at encouraging young people to stay in school until they earned a license, diploma, or degree. A tireless supporter of youth, Tony’s commitment to helping others shaped much of his life’s work. A fierce believer that “what you do matters,” Tony began each day with the intention to learn something new, be helpful, and have fun. He embodied this spirit throughout his life: writing a memoir (Pile of Words), swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, baking bread, debating politics, and actively engaging in his community. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Donalda Club, 12 Bushbury Drive, North York, on Wednesday, May 28, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome. Another gathering will take place in Nova Scotia this summer, details to follow. For those inclined, a donation can be made to the Creemore RAYS Scholarship and Bursary Fund, www.RAYSScholarships.com.