Former city councillor and longtime educator Bob Fera died Dec. 25. He was 81.
Born Nov. 20, 1938, Fera was raised in Coniston. His first career was in education. His obituary states that at the young age of 19, he was appointed principal of Holy Redeemer, later Sacred Heart, then St. David’s, and for the last 20 years of his career, St. Raphael’s school.
He is survived by his wife Peggy (Margaret) Arrowsmith, son, Rob and daughter Marnie. His son Sean Fera passed away in 1996.*
Fera later launched into community politics, winning the Ward 9 council seat. He also took on the role of president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, the office of deputy mayor and chair of the Sudbury Board of Health.
Fera’s path inevitably led to Queen’s Park where he helped develop Community Care Access Centres (CCAC), of which he became provincial and Sudbury/Manitoulin chair. He "fought tenaciously" for what he saw as inadequate funding for community health services, causing the government "much consternation about the force of nature they had unleashed," said his obit.
"Through all of his political and educational forays, his commitment to family remained at the forefront, defined by one consistent act; small and seemingly insignificant for some, but given his hectic career, significant for his young family: he was always home for dinner. Always."
Family and friends are invited to Cooperative Funeral Home today (Monday, Dec. 30) from 2-5 p.m., and from 7-9:30 p.m.
Funeral at St. Patrick’s Church, Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.
*This story has been updated to reflect the passing of Sean Fera, which was not included in the original version.
