Obituary of Frederick Lawrence Landry

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Frederick Lawrence "Ned" Landry announce his passing, which occurred Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Ridgewood Veteran’s Wing, surrounded by his loving family. Ned was born in Saint John, NB on February 2, 1921 he was a son of the late Edward and Margaret (Cyr) Landry. Ned’s musical career began at the very early age of four with the Harmonica and his love and interest in music was so great it led to his first Fiddle which was provided by his aunt Rose Sullivan. As he was unable to read music his talents showed through his keen ears and understanding of the intricacies of various instruments over the years. But his main love was the Fiddle. Ned’s radio career began in the early thirty’s at CFBO at Saint John and it was while playing on the radio his talents were noted by Don Messer and thus his professional career began at five dollars per show, first with the Harmonica and eventually as second Fiddle. This gradual progression thus led to Ned starting his own band, The New Brunswick Lumberjacks. Ned met his wife Celina as she was a neighbor that he took an interest in and they married that year. Ned and a couple of his band friends decided to join the Army in 1940. After his basic training in Fredericton he was posted to Newfoundland where he spent the majority of service time on duties in the Belle Isle Area. It was here that due to several injuries that led to a medical discharge after three and a half years. In 1943 Ned continued his musical career and in 1952 Ned received a recording contract with RCA Canada. His career blossomed throughout the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s with many of his own compositions becoming hit tunes throughout the country and western music venues. During his career Ned has won many honors and awards his first being three time Canadian Open Fiddle Champion in 1956, 1957 and 1962. He became a member of the NB Country Music Hall of Fame on July 2, 1983. He received the prestigious Order of Canada on April 2, 1992. Ned was also inducted into the NS Country Music Hall of Fame on August 18, 2000, and on May 10, 2009 he received a Doctor of Letters from St. Thomas University in Fredericton. He later received the Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award at the EMCA’s. Ned was also a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Ned will be missed by his three daughters, Patricia Oland (Roger), Carol Brooks (Doug), Dale Doucet (Junior) and two sons, Frederick Landry Jr. (Rita) and Donald Landry, nineteen grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren and eleven great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ned was predeceased by his first wife, Celina Landry (LeBlanc) and second wife, Mildred Landry (Gowan) and his six siblings, Gordon, Thomas, Florence, Timothy, Anthony and Alphonse, his daughter Rose Mellor, and two previously deceased great-grandsons. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Monday, August 27, 2018 from 6 – 8 PM and Tuesday, August 28, 2018 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Pius X Church on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 12:00. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society or Bobby’s Hospice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences and remembrances may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.