Kenneth David Fraser, 84, passed away at his home in Virginia Beach Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.
Born in Manchester, England on July 2, 1932, to John Fraser and Elsie Kennedy Fraser, Ken served in the RAF as an airplane mechanic during the Korean War. He enjoyed playing rugby and bicycling during his early years in England.
Ken emigrated to the United States in 1958 and settled in Pittsburgh, Pa. He joined Cooper Split Roller Bearing Company in 1959 as a draftsman and stayed with them through 1990. In 1973, Ken relocated with Cooper Bearing from Pittsburgh to a thriving Virginia Beach.
Ken loved the theatre and was active on and off stage in many productions, both in Pittsburgh with Little Lake Theatre and Stage 62 among others and in Virginia Beach at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach. But his true love was sailing, starting with building his own sailboat, a 14′ Snipe, in his basement in Pittsburgh. He acquired the 16′ “Grey Eminence” shortly after he moved to Virginia Beach. Ken enjoyed many years of sailing with good friends and family to places like Newport, R.I., and Bermuda, often on a competitive basis. After he retired, he sailed his “William Tell,” a 38′ Nautor Swan, for a year in the Caribbean.
Ken is survived his wife, Juanita “Nita” Fraser; children from his first marriage to the late Dorothy Graeham, Jane Fraser of Pittsburgh, Ian Fraser (Stacy) of Virginia Beach, Kenna Given (Bill) of Virginia Beach, and Moira Craig (Doug) of Pittsburgh; grandchildren, Reid Fraser, Kate Given (Renn), and Graham Gregorich, and many theatre, sailing and life friends.
Ken’s ashes will be scattered on the Chesapeake Bay at Thimble Shoals Light followed by a celebration of life wake at a later date.
May fair winds and following seas always be with you, Ken.
