Mr. Fraser, generations of boys thank you

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Pipe major Robert Fraser, seen in 1981, never took payment for his lessons. (HANDOUT PHOTO)

On a record-breaking warm Monday in Winnipeg, in the crowded basement of a church at Portage Avenue and Rouge Road, an unmistakable sound soared to the heavens.

 It was the skirl of the bagpipes and thunder of the drums played by dozens of solemn young kilt-clad members of the Lord Selkirk Boys Pipe Band, an organization dedicated to boys under the age of 18.

 They played their hearts out in memory of a man they not only admired, but revered — pipe major Robert Fraser, who died on March 9 at Grace Hospital after a long struggle following surgery. He was 89.

 Born in Arbroath, Scotland, Fraser learned to play the pipes at the age of 10. His instructors refused payment, asking only that Fraser pass on his knowledge for free to other boys.

 He dedicated the rest of his life to doing just that.

 After immigrating to Winnipeg with his wife and three children in 1957, he founded the youth band. For the next 55 years, without ever taking a cent, this compassionate, dedicated man taught generations of local boys the art of piping.

 For the record, Fraser was the man who taught my son to play the bagpipes. He taught hundreds of other men’s sons, too. In this city, if you play the pipes, there’s an excellent chance you learned from Mr. Fraser or from someone who learned from Mr. Fraser. During the funeral service in the packed church, when the priest invited everyone who had learned to play from Fraser to stand up, hundreds of boys and men from all walks of life stood to their feet. It was an inspiring sight.

 One of those men was Bill Blaikie, the longtime Manitoba politician who joined the band, then known as the Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band, in 1963 at the age of 12.

 "He taught hundreds and hundreds of boys to play the pipes," Blaikie recalled with pride over coffee in the church basement where, every Saturday morning without fail, Fraser presided over band practice.

 "He’s left a legacy of people able to play the pipes and enjoy that culture," he said. "Today, there are people across Canada whose love of the pipes was cultivated by Mr. Fraser. He just had this incredible personality.

 "We all feel indebted to him. He was a real gentleman. You never felt bad in his presence, even if you made a mistake. He was a great teacher and a great spirit. That’s what made him so special to so many men and boys."

 The fact Bob Fraser ever learned to play the pipes is a miracle in itself.

 His daughter, Sheila, told mourners this week how her father’s feet and right hand were severely burned in an accident when he was an infant.

 "The doctors said he would never walk again, but he proved them wrong," she recalled. "He not only walked, he ran and danced and learned to play the pipes."

 The severity of the burns left him with almost no use of the little finger on his right hand, preventing him from playing in the traditional manner, but his first pipe major came to the rescue by teaching him to play with his hands reversed.

 Fraser was determined that every boy, regardless of his family’s financial situation, would have access to a set of pipes at no cost. In the beginning, equipment was in short supply and instructors had to draw holes on pencils to teach boys the proper fingering.

 "He was a very selfless man," said Karen Bowman, the band’s alumni co-ordinator whose two sons, David and Ryan, were drummers in the band. "The boys loved him. His biggest legacy is that, on Saturday mornings, when you come for practice, every instructor is a former band member."

 One of those instructors, Dan Sloan, 46, who also plays with the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band, said along with the bagpipes, the pipe major with the thick Scottish accent also taught his young charges how to be better men.

 "It wasn’t just about the music; it was about being a good citizen, how to be responsible," Sloan said. "He treated everyone with respect, regardless of their background. He always left you with a smile on your face. I’m a better citizen because of Bob Fraser."

 For my own son, Liam, Fraser was part substitute grandparent, part rock star. "He was an amazing person because of his dedication," my son explained. "He was the nicest guy ever.

 He was understanding. He was always there!"

 Even near the end he was there, allowing students to bring their pipes to his hospital room for just a little more instruction.

 Like most band parents, my role back in the day consisted mainly of shuttling my son to practices and parades and lending the odd helping hand with fundraising activities.

 It finally occurred to me this week I never made the time to thank Bob Fraser for teaching my son — and so many other sons — the glorious art of piping.

 Because of his generosity and dedication, 10 years ago my son was able to summon the skill and strength to stand at my father’s graveside and play a note-perfect rendition of Amazing Grace.

 For that gift, Mr. Fraser, and for so much more: Thank you.

 doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca