We regret to advise of the death of Lance Sergeant Fred Doroshenko (Ret'd) at Parkwood Hospital in London ON on 15 November 2013 in his 93rd year.
Fred was born in Poland (Belarus) and emigrated to Canada with his family in 1929. With the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1939 at 18 years of age. He saw action overseas with 7th Field Company throughout the war - he was wounded twice at Dieppe and safely returned to the UK for hospitalization for one month before rejoining his company. The company entered the Battle of Normandy on 6 July 1944. France and took part in the heavy fighting in and around the city of Caen through to the closing of the Falaise Gap in August. He fought through France and into Belgium and the Netherlands, including the Battle of the Scheldt and the Liberation of Holland. He was in Germany by the war’s end.
After the war, Fred returned to Canada and worked briefly at Westminster Hospital in London. He then joined Empire Brass Company where he worked until his retirement. Fred was a proud life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, joining in 1946 and holding numerous positions at Byron-Springbank Branch #533. He also provided long-time leadership to the RCE Sappers Association in London.
A memorial service will be conducted at the Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on 19 November 2013 at 3:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Fred are asked to consider the Byron-Springbank Legion’s Poppy Fund.
- The western half of Belarus was occupied by Poland at the end of the Russo-Polish War (Feb.1919 -Mar. 1921). English equivalent of Teodozy is Theodore (Ted). The name change to Frederick upon arrival in St. John New Brunswick due to possible language barrier.