"if i can play onstage at 80, i'll die a happy man" Fred Purser told me three years ago. at 83, he's still playing; a hamilton treasure. this is fred wailing at a wedding, the second time i helped coax him out of retirement.
My name is James Munroe and I'm a trombone player who used to sit in occasionally with Freddy and Dick and Reg Washington, along sometimes with their brother Bobby, first at the Windsor Hotel, then later at the Royal, during the late 70's - early 80's. I loved Freddy and the Washingtons almost like family but we got separated by time; I was only 18 or 19 back then. It would mean a great deal to me if you could tell me how to get hold of Freddy; I'd love to know if he remembers me! I am at trombonemunroe [at symbol] gmail.com.
Randy Steele September 13, 1961 - May 22, 2009. It's hard to capture a life in a few sentences, especially one that was lived as large as Randy's but here are a few highlights. In 1995 Randy started working at CH Television and went on to become one of the viewer's favourite reporters covering issues at Hamilton city hall and eventually producing his own segment "Steele's Town". In 2001 Randy was diagnosed with throat cancer. From 2003-2009 the cancer returned unrelentingly but with just as much force he fought back. In 2004, at the suggestion of a friend, Randy took up photography--it was the moment he went from being in front of a camera to being behind one. Randy took over 12,000 photos between 2004 and 2009. His love for his family, the cottage in Lurgan Beach, Kincardine, and the city of Hamilton are all captured with his passionate and artistic eye. Shannon, Carly, Keltie, Randi and I are very proud of Randy's photos and have chosen to share more of them with you. Enjoy!
Maggie Steele February 2011.
7 comments:
Ey that is my grandfather
cool, I love FRed. Haven't seen him in a while--how is he doing--please say hi!
i was hoping that you could say hi for me. i havent seen him sinds i was 2 months old.
Fred lives with his daughter in Stoney Creek now, but I can't remember her last name and I would like to contact Fred. Can either of you help?
Fred's daughter is Penny Lee / Penny Purser, used to be on Gray's Road Stoney Creek, moved a bit east of that a while ago
My name is James Munroe and I'm a trombone player who used to sit in occasionally with Freddy and Dick and Reg Washington, along sometimes with their brother Bobby, first at the Windsor Hotel, then later at the Royal, during the late 70's - early 80's. I loved Freddy and the Washingtons almost like family but we got separated by time; I was only 18 or 19 back then. It would mean a great deal to me if you could tell me how to get hold of Freddy; I'd love to know if he remembers me! I am at trombonemunroe [at symbol] gmail.com.
Fred purser is my grandfather he is doing as well as a 93 year old can be i visit him weekly and still the same man he always has been
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