Obituary of Frederick J. Bridger

Frederick John Bridger passed away peacefully on December 21, 2021 at the Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre in Twillingate, NL. Fred was born at home in Twillingate on November 3, 1950 as the youngest member of the "Bridger Triplets." The boys were often touted as the first triplet born in Newfoundland after the Province joined Canada and the costs to feed them as babies was made easier with a generous donation of a year’s supply of Carnation Milk by E.J. Linfield’s Ltd. – a prominent business in Twillingate at that time. Fred moved from Twillingate to complete his college education and for a short period of time to work but later returned to raise his family and work at the Twillingate Hospital as a Power Engineer. Fred was a natural giver with many hours of volunteerism contributed to various organizations in the community over his life. This time was spent as a Town Councillor for one term, years as a leader within the local Boy Scouts troop, and later as a founding member of the Twillingate Islands Tourism Association (TITA) where he helped to push for building the viewing deck on Long Point and refurbishing the Long Point Lighthouse for tourism use. The Twillingate Sun newspaper later followed up on the Bridger Triplet progress and reported that Fred was the first to take steps to walk despite being the last to be born. People who knew Fred will not be surprised by this as he walked and hiked for miles and miles and miles all over the Twillingate Islands and throughout Newfoundland! His hiking offered him access to tremendous coastal vistas from hard to get to points on the rugged coastline that he was determined to make more readily accessible to all tourists visiting Twillingate. This was his inspiration while working with like-minded friends to create many of the first cuts for Twillingate coastal hiking trails. Fred had a very approachable personality as he greeted everyone with a smile while welcoming all visitors to learn more about Twillingate and Newfoundland & Labrador. Physical fitness was very important to him as displayed by earning a black belt in Shotokan karate but actually doing so for the exercise, playing basketball every week with the local high school team until COVID-19 restrictions stopped this activity, and completing 100 sit-ups per day right up to this past summer. Fred enjoyed giving and receiving a good practical joke along with frequent food and water fights at supper every time these would occur. He never wanted to leave this world out of fear of missing any new discoveries in science, technology or space research. Fred is mourned with fond memories by his wife Mildred (nee Keats) and sons Christopher (Amber and grandchildren Alexa and Cole) and Chad (Sandy and grandson Clancy), sister Dora (Lloyd), brothers Ellis (Vera), Alfred (Yvonne) and Clarence (predeceased by Audrey), cousin Joan (Jack) who treated him as a brother, and nearly 100 cousins, in-laws, nephews and nieces many with their own families, and a large group of friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Ida (nee Leyte), step father Elmo Stockley, and brother Rex (Marilyn). In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to either the Twillingate Hospital Pond Committee or Rock Cut Twillingate Trails c/o the Town of Twillingate in remembrance of Fred given his passion for hiking and walking on both Twillingate Islands. In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our families and our community continues to be our highest priority. At this time, keeping with Fred's wishes cremation has taken place; a celebration of life will be planed at a later date.