Longtime Suburban writer, broadcaster Larry Fredericks passes

By Joel Goldenberg, September 5th, 2012

Lawrence Frederick Cohen, one of The Suburban’s original writers and a  presence in the sports world in print and on radio for more than four decades, died suddenly Monday at St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 77.
Cohen, best known by his professional name of Larry Fredericks, had been in hospital for a back injury this past May, which was followed by a deterioration in his health.
Fredericks wrote the popular Sports Final column for The Suburban for many years, and was still contributing to the paper until very recently. He was also well known for his longtime radio stint on CKVL, as well as covering pro sports for United Press International, handling public address announcing duties for McGill University football games, volunteering in various ways in Côte St. Luc and coaching hockey teams.
Fredericks, along with his son Mike Cohen — another longtime Suburban writer and sports enthusiast — also co-hosted the annual Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors Foundation Sports Celebrity Breakfast. Fredericks and Cohen co-emceed the 2012 edition this past March. They also co-hosted the Montreal Expos pre- and post-game shows on the former CIQC AM, and worked together in other sports coverage capacities.
Mike Cohen credits his start in media and work in the Côte St. Luc community — including becoming a volunteer and later a councillor — to Fredericks and the examples he set.
“As a father he was always there when I needed him,” Cohen wrote on his Suburban blog Monday. “’Be careful,’ was the way he ended all of our phone calls. While I approach my 50th birthday, he still called me ‘sweetheart.’ There are so many pleasant memories I have about him. He was taken from us quicker than we ever imagined.”
Mark Lidbetter, longtime sports editor at The Suburban, said he “always loved Larry’s passion for getting out into the community and covering minor sports. I also always appreciated his encouragement and support as a mentor. When he retired as a wire service reporter for Press Association (PA) SportsTicker, he recommended me to be his replacement, giving me the opportunity to cover the Canadiens and Alouettes.”
Fredericks is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elaine Sherwin; children and their spouses Mike and Ilana, Chuck and Sindy, and Lisa and Bill; grandchildren Jarred, Gregory and Alex; brother Erwin and sister-in-law Carole Cohen, in-laws Allan and Fiona Sherwin and nieces and nephews.
Fredericks’ funeral takes place today, noon Wednesday Sept. 5 at Paperman and Sons, and burial is at the Beth Zion Congregation Section of the Eternal Gardens Cemetery in Beaconsfield. The family is asking that donations in his memory be made to the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, (514) 342-1234 ext. 7373. n