After a lifetime of hard work, and absolute loyalty, Frederick “Fred” Herbert Janes of Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the age of 78.

Fred was best known throughout Newfoundland for his unwavering love of sports. For decades, it was rare to find Fred without a baseball bat, a goalie stick, or an opinion about how everyone else was doing it wrong.

His dedication to the game was so impressive that he eventually earned himself a place in the Newfoundland Baseball Hall of Fame — a fitting honour for a man who apparently believed retirement was something that happened to other people.

The family still jokes that Fred’s team had a doubleheader on his wedding day, forcing him to choose between baseball and his bride. In a rare moment of good judgment, he chose the wedding. We’re still not entirely sure how close that decision was. Priorities were important to Freddie.

Fred was funny, gruff, stubborn, and gloriously crotchety. He had a talent for making you wonder whether you had just been insulted or given a compliment — and sometimes it was both. He could complain about anything, but somehow he was also the life of the party.

He loved sports fiercely, lived life on his own terms, and never seemed particularly concerned with whether anyone agreed with him. In fact, he probably preferred it when they didn’t — it gave him something else to argue about.

Fred leaves behind countless memories, stories, laughs, arguments, grammatical corrections, and a remarkable number of people who were denied high fives.

He will be deeply missed — but we know wherever he is now, he’s already found a ball game, criticized the officiating, corrected someone’s grammar, and firmly refused to high five anyone who tries to celebrate with him.

Left to treasure many happy memories are his cherished wife of 54 years: Anne Janes (nee Kelly); his two loving daughters: Kelly Janes (Leon Beaudoin) & Allison Janes (Clayton Carter); his treasured granddaughter: Evie Carter; his siblings: Stephen Janes, Jean Knibb, Deanna Bartlett, and Sandy (Frank) Thompson; his siblings-in-law: Mark (Sheila) Kelly, Judy Kelly, Dorothy Kelly, Gertrude Ryan, and Genevieve (Bob) Kelly; as well as many amazing nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Fred was predeceased by his parents: Herbert & Marian Janes; his brothers: Dave (Eileen) Janes, Jim Janes, and Dr. William “Bill” (Gerry) Janes; his sisters, Eileen (Bill) Thoms and Hannah June (Reg) Simms. And his siblings-in-law: Paul Kelly, Donald Kelly, David Ryan, Freddy Knibb, Bernice Janes, Ray Bartlett, and Patience Janes.

A Celebration of Fred’s Life will take place next year in Newfoundland. Details regarding the service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Fred to the Lionel Kelland Hospice Presentation Centre, 3 St. Catherine Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1V7, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/33531.

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