FREDERICK WILLIAM COWARD, beloved husband of the late Gail Coward of Lethbridge, passed away at St. Michael’s Health Centre on February 22, 2026, at the age of 90 years.

Fred was born on October 14, 1935 and raised as an only child in Winnipeg. In his youth he was extremely active in the Boy Scouts of Canada, even representing Manitoba at a jamboree in Jamaica in 1952. His work ethic was second to none, whether it was selling shoes at Eaton’s, lifeguarding at local pools or manning the mosquito fogging trucks down the streets of Winnipeg. But the work started in earnest when Fred entered law school in 1958.

Fred’s impressive legal career spanned almost 60 years. He graduated from the University of Manitoba law school in Winnipeg in 1963. While attending law school he articled at Swift, Macleod, Deacon, Kirby and Gregory. He was called to the Bar in 1963 and subsequently practised law at Doak, Buckingham, Pressey and Coward. He then joined the legal department for the Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg and just one year later became a partner in the law firm of James and Coward. In 1966, at just 30 years of age, he was appointed as a magistrate for the northern part of the Western Judicial District at Minnedosa, a position he held until 1972 when he became a judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba. In 1978, he was asked to apply for an appointment to the Provincial Court of Alberta. He did so and shortly thereafter moved to Lethbridge. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Fred then accepted a 2-year appointment in Ottawa as a special advisor to help develop the former Young Offenders Act in 1981. He returned to Lethbridge in 1983 to resume his position in the Provincial Court of Alberta. Starting in 1997, Fred also travelled to the Northwest Territories a few times a year to supervise justices of the peace and develop an education program for them. From 1998 until his retirement from the bench in 2014, Fred worked as a supernumerary, covering when there was a surplus of work. He was often praised and admired for his keen knowledge of the law, fairness, compassion and integrity. He was known to be strict but fair and to be fastidious about courtroom decorum.

It wasn’t only about the law. Fred met and married Gail in 1963 and they celebrated 60 years of marriage. Together, they adopted and raised Bill and Beth and although Fred was older when he became a grandfather to Roshan and Arman, he participated with great enthusiasm. He often attended recitals and sports events and could frequently be heard proudly recounting one or the other’s achievements.

Fred and Gail travelled extensively all over the world but if he had his druthers, Fred would spend his downtime at the family cabin in Minaki, Ontario. He referred to the area as “God’s Country” and never tired of maintaining and improving the cottage, hosting friends on the deck overlooking the lake and finding innovative ways to keep the mosquitos at bay.

Fred had a keen mind, a fine sense of humour and was a consummate professional. He took his duties very seriously but always had time to laugh at himself. He will be dearly missed by Bill, Beth, Reza, Roshan, Arman and all those whose lives have been enriched by his presence.

A Celebration of Fred’s Life will be held at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH – 411 11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2026-02-22
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta