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May 8, 2007
Loss of a Friend/Colleague
Charles Fremes, 58, chief executive officer of our Canadian operation, died last night of a heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Judith McDermid, and his daughter, Danielle Fremes. There will be a family-only funeral later this week, followed by a memorial service for his many friends either next week or the week after.
I feel like I have lost my older brother. Charles was a wonderful friend, with a unique ability to offer advice without prejudice. He had a marvelously impish smile and twinkle in his eye. He was perpetually curious about the world, always reading and learning from those around him. He was a wonderful family man, deeply in love with his wife “Jude” and constantly talking about his daughter, Danielle. He carried his Canadian heritage proudly, from his life-long allegiance to the hockey team of his youth (the Canadians) to his recognition that his country (and he) played a special role as diplomat. He took his gardening so seriously that he wore a lapel pin in the shape of a trowel.
Charles helped to shape modern public relations in Canada. His work at Molson, where he served as VP of Corporate Affairs, on prevention of drunk driving and then in support of HIV AIDS research was first of its kind in the country. When he came to Edelman over a decade ago, he wondered whether he could make the transition from the corporate side. Charles, my boy, you did us proud. Your work on behalf of the Province of Ontario during the SARS crisis helped restore confidence of tourists and business alike. Your counsel to major Canadian companies such as Hudson Bay, Tory’s and Canadian Broadcasting was best in class. You have built a three office enterprise in Edelman Canada staffed by outstanding professionals committed to the same high standards as your own.
Charles often spoke to me about his father, who practiced medicine in Toronto for five decades until retiring recently, well into his 80s. He talked about going with his dad on hospital rounds, about the care and concern his father showed to each of his patients. Charles absorbed this lesson; a reputation is forged over a lifetime of effort, excellence and trusted relationships.
I quote from Shakespeare’s Henry V, who stands before his bedraggled army at Agincourt, outnumbered 10 to 1 by the enemy, “That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart…We would not die in that man’s company That fears his fellowship to die with us…From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother.” I will miss you more than you will ever know.
Posted by Edelman at May 8, 2007 3:15 PM
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Comments
My thoughts are with you. A comment that I find comfort in is below -
“On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world.”
--Henry David Thoreau
Posted by: Renzi Stone at May 8, 2007 6:18 PM
He was a great colleague and a brilliant friend. He rally was the best of us.
Posted by: David Brain at May 9, 2007 5:25 AM
Charles was a great man and an inspriring colleague. On behalf of all of us at the Wilcox Group we send our best wishes to the Edelman team in Canada.
Mat Wilcox
Posted by: Mat Wilcox at May 9, 2007 11:59 AM
I never had a conversation with Charles that did not involve laughter and usually lots of it. Charles R.I.P.
Posted by: Ron Moore at May 9, 2007 3:51 PM
Puts all of our daily issues, blog battles, client dilemmas and success in perspective.
Carpe Diem.
Posted by: Adam Zand at May 10, 2007 10:46 AM
I worked with Charles years ago when I was in the financial practice at Edelman. He was a wonderful man, never played politics and taught me a lot.
Elliot Sloane
Posted by: Elliot Sloane at May 10, 2007 5:31 PM
I remember Charles very warmly - great man, great teacher plus he always made me laugh. It's so hard to think of Edelman without Charles. He will certainly ALWAYS be in our hearts.
Sandra Saias
Posted by: Sandra Saias at May 14, 2007 3:44 PM
I grew up with Charlie as a cousin of the family friends, the Singer family - and was at his first wedding in Vienna....and we played street hockey as kids...and he had a great Charlie Hodge impression that I always made him do for me when we saw each other, which has been rarely in recent years. I just went on-line to look for his number and found out that he is gone.
His friendship and warmth will be missed....
Posted by: robert r blume at September 19, 2007 3:03 PM