Fred Bosinger 1937 - 2017

Fred Bosinger

Bosinger – Alfred “Fred” Gottlieb, 80, died Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at the Canmore Hospital surrounded by his loving family following a brave battle with lung cancer. 

Fred leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Margaret (Godsal) Bosinger, his son Peter Bosinger, his daughter Anna Randell and husband Grant, daughter-in-law Janet Carswell and husband Geoff, and grandsons Mats and Morgan.  Fred was predeceased in 2005 by his beloved son Rob and in 2008 by his granddaughter Hayley, who are now welcoming him on his next adventure.

Born in Zurich in 1937, Fred grew up skiing and playing hockey in Switzerland with his brother Richi.  He learned his life skills and completed his apprenticeship in Mechanical Trades with the Swiss Army, training as a Motor Vehicle mechanic.  A keen outdoorsman and natural born leader, Fred would forever be inextricably linked with his mountain surroundings.  He immigrated to Canada in 1963 as a lift installer for Mueller lifts and worked in the Laurentian Mountains.  The Laurentian’s is where he met his lovely wife of English descent, Margaret, who didn’t think “he was her type” at the time.  Turned out he was.  All three of their children were born in Montreal before the family moved out to Rossland in 1971, where Fred was hired by Red Mountain and shortly became the General Manager, during which time it affectionately became known as “Fred Mountain.”  He was responsible for the planning and development of the Paradise Basin area, and put all three kids into ski racing, while being a contributor to the community.  The stories and successes of the Red Mountain ski club were legendary during this time.  In 1982, Fred moved his family to Banff, where in time he became VP of Operations and General Manager of Sunshine Village.  He was instrumental in opening Goat’s Eye Mountain, with runs like Delirium Dive and Wild West, and helped transform Sunshine Village in the Rocky Mountains, into a leading Alpine Ski and Snowboard Resort.  His family grew up skiing, so much so that Pete and Rob ended up skiing for the Canadian National Team, even though he always said Anna was the best skier.  Fred and Margaret have lived in Banff since, splitting time between Banff and Invermere, a wonderful home where many a great Swiss Day Fred Bosinger birthday parties have been held.

Fred loved the mountains, and stayed involved in skiing and racing long after his kids were grown up.  He was a fixture at the Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA), as a chairman for the CWSAA Competitors Pass and Race Relations Committee, and was a long-time volunteer with the Lake Louise World Cup Winterstart.  He loved his involvement with ski racing in various capacities, from being a supporting parent all the way to being Chief of Race at two World Cups.  He will be sorely missed by the Lake Louise Sled Dogs, a group he considered a second family.  He was never short on a good story, especially if he could recount some sort of his mechanical heroics that may have saved Expo 67, fixed a broken ski lift in deep freeze conditions, or started a race on time though the elements were stacked against him.  He didn’t have the patience for laziness, and his woodpile, something he would split and stack himself, was always a model of perfection.  Fred’s idea of downtime was a big pedal on his road bike, a trail ride on the mountain bike with his grandsons, or a few turns on the hill.  Activities were followed by a glass of wine or a nip of scotch, and some laughs and stories.  He was always game, and would usually show you how it was done.  In the summer, some leisure time by the pool would ensue, with Fred meticulously checking the chemical balances, pumps, plumbing and filter baskets ensuring everything was perfectly maintained.  A metaphor for how he lived his life. 

Fred was a strong, resolute, dedicated, fair, honest and kind person.  He was someone we all looked up to, a mentor to many, and someone who loved his family and friends fiercely, as they did him.  This wealth of love was priceless, and it made Fred a very rich man.  We will all miss him dearly.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the nurses, doctors and staff of the amazing Canmore hospital.  A place that seems to have a heart nearly the size of Fred’s.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at https://www.bozocup.com/sads-donation, or you can send a cheque payable to the Rob Bosinger Memorial Trust, on behalf of Fred Bosinger, to 4373 Cheviot Road, North Vancouver, BC V7R-3T3.  A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at the Mt. Norquay Day Lodge in Banff, Alberta on Monday January 15, 2018 beginning at 4 pm, service to start at 5pm.