It is with deep sadness that the family of Fred Samuel Best of Clarenville announce his passing at St Patrick’s Mercy Home, St. John’s on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the age of 90. Born in Wesleyville, Bonavista Bay on November 1,1934, Fred lived a full and remarkable life devoted to leadership, volunteerism and service to his family, his teaching profession, and to his community and province. Fred was long-term mayor of Clarenville, a Life Member of Lions Clubs International, and served on numerous community and provincial committees and boards. He was a dedicated community leader and volunteer. As much as he loved public life, Fred’s favourite places to be were on the bakeapple marshes, on the water, and at his cabin in George’s Pond. Fred was a berry picker extraordinaire, an avid woodsman, fisherman, and gardener who instilled in his family a deep love of and respect for the natural world and our place in it.
Fred is predeceased by loving wife Louise, parents Fred and Lavina Best of Wesleyville, granddaughters Hannah and Victoria, brothers and sisters: William (Neta),
Millicent (Robert) Granter, Clyde (Lilly), Gladstone (Audrey), Alexander (Ella), Alicia (Baxter) Brown, Albert, and Neta; parents-in-law: Samuel and Mahallah Pynn, brothers and sisters-in-law: Daphne (Winsor) Best, Hilary Pynn, Lawrence Pynn, and Clifford Winsor.
Fred leaves to mourn: daughter Joanne, son Shawn (Sherry), grandchildren Emily and Samuel, great grandchildren Archer, and Lenni-Louise, brothers and sisters: Joyce, Marcella (Bill) Hopkins, Bob (Debbie), Irene (Walt) Jacobs, Brothers and sisters-in-law: Marguerite Best, Gerald (Lillian) Pynn, Lucy Pynn, Mary Winsor, Dennis Pynn, Wilson (Rita) Pynn, Kevin (Sharon) Pynn , Marilyn (Keith) Cooke, Wendy (Larry) Pynn, and a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
Visitation to take place from Fewer’s Funeral Home, Clarenville on: Sunday, June 22 from 7-9 pm, and on Monday, June 23 from 10 am – 1 pm, 2-4 pm, and 7-9 pm.
Funeral Service to take place from Memorial United Church, Clarenville at 1 pm, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. With internment to follow at the United Church Cemetery, Church Hill, Clarenville.
Donations in Fred’s memory may be made to Memorial United Church, Clarenville or to the Clarenville and Area SPCA.
Fred’s family would like to extend a sincere thank-you to the nursing and support staff of 2EW, St Patrick’s Mercy home, St John’s for the compassionate and professional care provided to their father during his nine-months at St Pat’s, always going above and beyond the call of duty. This was more than appreciated by the family. Heart-felt gratitude is also extended to the family and friends that visited and supported Fred during his stay at St Pat’s. Thanks are also extended to Fewer’s Funeral Home, Clarenville.
Condolences(24)-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Previous Marilyn Dyke
Next Fred Howse
- Contact
Cavelle Lethbridge says
June 21, 2025 at 11:43 pmMy heartfelt condolences to his family hugs to Joanne and Shawn ,,he was a great man and will be missed by all who had the honor to know him,,rest in peace mr best,,,
Lisa Chaffey says
June 22, 2025 at 6:09 amTo Shawn and Joanne and families: I am sending my deepest condolences on the passing of your dad. Fred was a valued member of the community and a dedicated father and grandfather. May your memories in the coming days bring you smiles and comfort.
Joan Kane says
June 22, 2025 at 9:07 amMy deepest condolences to the family.
Linda Stone says
June 22, 2025 at 9:50 amJoanne & Shawn , Deepest Sympathies , to you & your families , Your Dad was a wonderful person , he helped a lot of people along the way , im sure , I worked for your dad back in 1967/68. ,I well remember him always , hold fast to the great memories of Him , as I well , He well be missed in the Clarenville area for sure, May God Bless
Linda & Allister Stone
Dianne Butt says
June 22, 2025 at 10:02 amTo Joanne , Shawn and families,
Condolences on the your lost.Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time
Kevin and Dianne
Marie & Nicole Chafe, St Philip’s says
June 22, 2025 at 10:49 amBob, Debbie , Joyce, Marcie and Bill, Irene and Walt and all his family, Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you at this time. Treasure your memories of this wonderful man.
Rhonda Evans says
June 22, 2025 at 12:31 pmSending my heartfelt condolences to Mr Best’s family. He was a good man & a great teacher.
Bill & Nadine Vardy says
June 22, 2025 at 1:50 pmOur very sincere condolences to Fred’s family in the loss of their dear father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother. He made a wonderful contribution to Clarenville and will certainly be missed!
Ivy and Dennis Burt says
June 22, 2025 at 2:59 pmMarcie, We are thinking of you and your family. Sincere condolences to you all. God Bless.
Walter & June Butler says
June 22, 2025 at 4:18 pmThe Best Family,
Sincere. Condolences to all members of the Best Family on the death of your beloved father and grandfather. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your loved ones and our town mourns the loss of a great citizen and for many years, the mayor. He will be remembered for his strong commitment to our beautiful town. Cherish the lifetime of memories you have shared and we are certain they will sustain you in the coming days.
Dave and Kaye Power says
June 23, 2025 at 1:48 pmWe would like to express our sincere condolences to Fred’s family; Joanne , Shawn, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May it comfort you to know that Fred was well respected and liked by many, many people.
Ray Sturge says
June 23, 2025 at 3:42 pmSending my thoughts and prayers on Fred’s passing.
Thinking about you at this time.
Love Ray
Fiona Abbott says
June 23, 2025 at 4:34 pmSorry to hear about your Dads passing Joanne and Shawn… I hope him and Louise are up there in the clouds having a nice cup of tea with Mom and Dad and the many other great Clarenville people. Sending hugs, Spog Swan and family
June Mills says
June 23, 2025 at 4:42 pmFred definitely served his community in many ways. So sorry to hear of his passing. He definitely lived a full life. I sent my condolences to the family.
Roberta and Lloyd Gill says
June 23, 2025 at 4:55 pmTo the family of Mr. Best:
We send sincere condolences. Mr. Best was our teacher in Wesleyville High School many years ago.
Roberta (Vincent) Gill and Lloyd Gill
Donna Vaters Pilot says
June 23, 2025 at 5:36 pmTo the Best Family:
So sorry for the loss of your Dad, grandfather & great grandfather, your folks were great neighbours when we lived on Leslie St. across the road from you. Your Dad served his community well as a Teacher, Principal, Mayor & community volunteer & well respected.
Be assured of our thoughts & prayers at this difficult time.
Pastor N.A. Vaters
Donna Pilot
Carleton Place, Ont
Paula Roberts says
June 23, 2025 at 8:45 pmRemembering your father today Joanne and Shawn,he was so very proud of you both and of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, I remember him as the principal at Clarenville elementary, with his finger to his lips waiting for us all to be quiet in the assembly ,before he’d begin speaking. Not too long ago I had a visit with him at the house to wish him a happy birthday (we picked up a bag of apples to take home). He and I were birthday twins which he proudly told me in school.Fred was still principal when Bert came here to teach in 1989. Bert enjoyed many chats with your father about his cabin, fishing and his gardens. His immense dedication to our community and overseeing its growth for so any years were a testament to the love he had for Our beautiful town.may you rest in peace while your loved ones speak your name with fond memories.
Marion Dyke says
June 23, 2025 at 11:08 pmSo very sorry to hear about Mr Best’s passing. He was an amazing teacher, mayor, family man and citizen of Clarenville. Deepest condolences to Shawn, Joanne and families.
Pauline Murrin says
June 24, 2025 at 11:18 amDear Best Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the passing of your loved one. Fred and I finished High School together at the ‘School on the Hill’ in 1951. Sincere sympathy to all of you.
Pauline Murrin (Winsor)
Craig Winsor says
June 24, 2025 at 4:03 pmCondolences to Joanne and Shawn and all the family, thinking of you at this time. May the memories you have bring you some comfort at this time.
Frederick A. Russell says
June 24, 2025 at 9:18 pmMy deepest condolences to the Best Family. He was truly a wonderful man.
Fred Russell Jr
Port Union
Janet LeDrew says
June 24, 2025 at 10:18 pmShawn and family,
Sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. I’m sure all the great memories you have of your dad will help you through this sad and difficult time. Thinking of you, Janet and Carl
Lorraine Hiscock says
June 28, 2025 at 7:13 pmDeepest condolence on the loss of your dear dad and grandfather and all family members. May your pleasant memories and his so many accomplishments help you in difficult days ahead.
Dr. Jim Cooze says
July 9, 2025 at 6:46 pmTo Shawn, Joanne and the extended members of the Best families: I was saddened to hear of Fred’s passing; and, I send you my deepest condolences at this time of great loss. I felt privileged to be under the tutelage of such a fine teacher when Mr. Best taught me Physics at Wesleyville Central High School in the early 1960’s. Mr. Best was successful in creating a positive ethos in his classes; and, he always had a keen interest in motivating students to strive for academic excellence. I also remember how he always demonstrated fairness and consistency in applying disciplinary measures to the more bellicose students in our classes. Mr. Best’s affable and warmly polite personality always impressed me; he made everyone feel comfortable in his presence.
May your lifetime of treasured memories of Mr. Best provide comfort to you at this difficult time; and, may God bless you and grant you peace in the midst of your grief.
“Although the song has ended, the melody lingers on” — Irving Berlin
Fewer's Funeral Home © | site by JOsmondDesign