1951-2025
At home and after battling health issues for many years, “Fearless Fred” Calich, aged 74, has finally crossed his last finish line.
He was born in Fort Frances but moved to Thunder Bay where he completed his BA at Lakehead University and served several years as a Junior Officer with the LSSR. He spent his entire career working at Provincial Papers until the mill shut down for good – though what really fired him up was fast cars and racing.
Fred’s life revolved around auto racing – whether driving, fixing cars, helping out on the crew, or just watching. He was involved with CSSA, the International Ice Racing Association (IIRA), and held Life Membership in the Thunder Bay Autosports Club. For over three decades he raced on ice locally and across Northwestern Ontario, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. He drove his Austin Mini like a pro even when those Minis were way past their prime. Without heat or defrosting working in the car, you’d spot him behind the wheel wearing a racing glove on one hand and holding a scraper mitt on the other to keep that windshield clear.
He wasn’t scared of a few flips either-that’s how he got his nickname “Fearless Fred.” Besides ice racing, he tried hillclimbs, slaloms, road rallies, and time trials at Gimli Motorsports Park.
If you knew Fred well enough you’d know he was fiercely independent and kinda quirky – long hair, bandito moustache, thick glasses that looked like coke bottles, always with a cigarette in hand and sipping rum and coke – but underneath it all he was an ace mechanic and loyal friend to anyone close to him. Many summers found him wrenching on weeknights or trackside helping JB Gardiner with his GT road racers. They traveled together for five or six weekends every season-pizza and BBQ were often how Fred got paid!
Though he raced many Minis on ice tracks over the years, Fred was definitely a Ford guy! He owned everything from a Cyclone fitted with a 429 Cobra-Jet engine to an ’87 Mustang GT plus several Ford trucks. If it had wheels under Fred’s care it either went fast or hauled heavy loads!
Apart from cars racing through his veins Fred also liked reading books and magazines; before illness slowed him down too much he enjoyed taking care of his yard and trees plus bowling. His basement displayed lots of trophies for bowling and racing alongside stacks of paperback books.
About two decades ago severe Crohn’s & Colitis took hold of Fred’s life making things tough physically; eventually this left him mostly stuck inside. On top of that Covid delayed surgeries he’d been waiting years for – one since mid-pandemic wait stretched past two-and-a-half years – none happened which sadly led to serious decline in recent times.
Fred didn’t have family left besides parents who’d already passed away; so when retirement came along with health troubles he kept mostly to himself. Still deep down all those friends from autosports over many years meant everything – they were basically his real family-and in whatever way suited him best he cared about each one of you!
You’re invited to join us remembering “Fearless Fred” Wednesday January 21st 2026 between 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the Slovak Legion Solarium. All friends old neighbors coworkers plus past/present racers are welcome! It’ll be time to catch up share stories joke about good times laugh together while enjoying some refreshments-on Freddy’s tab!
If anyone wants please consider donating to Crohn’s & Colitis Canada or your favorite charity instead of flowers-it would mean lots.
Arrangements handled by EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL located at 299 Waverley Street near Algoma.
When the green flag drops,
the Bulls**t stops.
But it ain’t over,
Till those checkered flags fly!
Rest easy Freddy, your race is over
JB
Please sign the Online Condolences at everestofthunderbay. com
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