Long-time numismatic dealer Gary Fedora, of Georgetown, Ont., is remembered for his generous support of the hobby and love for preserving numismatic treasures. He died on Oct. 15 at age 75.
Mr. Fedora owned and operated Select Currency based in Brampton for many years. More recently, he worked at BW Coins, also based in Brampton.
“Gary was a very hard-working man who enjoyed fishing, family trips to Florida, golfing and most of all, had a remarkable and unwavering passion and wisdom for numismatics,” his family writes in an obituary published on the website of Jones Funeral Home in Georgetown. “Gary will be remembered for the love that he had for his family and friends, and his infectious laugh that will forever be heard in our hearts.”
Mr. Fedora was a long-time Canadian Association of Numismatic Dealers (CAND) member.
“He was a long-time member of our organization, and he was regarded as a real “sweetheart” of our organization.” CAND President Michael Findlay said in a statement announcing Fedora’s passing to CAND members. “He never had a bad word about our organization or the paper money community, which he truly loved.”
“As far as I understand it, he was an electrician who morphed into the car wash business. He would collect silver coins from the car wash machines and later became involved in the coin business. He would trade this silver into bars or buy paper money,” Findlay added. “I know many of you in southwestern Ontario probably knew Gary much better than I did, but he was the true definition of what we meant as a CAND organization! Honest as the day is long and loyal to what we believe in.”
Mr. Fedora was a regular dealer in the early years of the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show, sponsored by Canadian Coin News and Canadian Stamp News.
“Gary was a strong supporter of our show,” said show organizer and publisher Mike Walsh. “He believed in our goal of uniting numismatic and philatelic dealers under one roof to benefit both hobbies.”
Walsh recalls attending several coin shows as a dealer selling supplies and receiving great insights from Mr. Fedeora, especially on bank memorabilia.
“Whenever Gary arrived at the show and was set up, I would pop over from my table to see if he uncovered any new treasures. I wasn’t alone. Along with other dealers and collectors, we were always fascinated with Gary’s finds and, more importantly, his numismatic knowledge.”
In 2015, CCN published a story on Mr. Fedora selling an ultra-rare 1813 $1 army bill to the Bank of Canada’s National Currency Collection. The $1 banknote was originally issued in 1813 by the Army Bill Office in Quebec City. Now, it sits with hundreds of thousands of other currency-related artifacts from around the world at the Currency Museum.
Mr. Fedora told CCN he acquired the army bill from an Oakville man who called, suggesting he had found something significant.
“We met locally one day, mid-afternoon, and I determined the note was real at that time,” said Mr. Fedora. “One of the major factors was the denomination letter, which was correct, and the note was definitely old, and the original embossing from the printing process was still on the note. It’s significant because if it was a copy, I doubt the compression would have been there, so it was printed by press rather than photocopy or something like that.”
Mr. Fedora wanted the bill’s new home at the Bank of Canada museum.
“The proper place for it is the Bank of Canada. From the time I saw it, I knew in the back of my mind it would probably go there,” he said at the time.
Beloved husband of Karen for 46 years; loving father of Terri (Adam) Daly, Shaunna Fedora (Ed Medeiros) and Andrew Fedora. Adored grandpa/papa of Mackenzie, Maximus, Finnley, Eden, Evan, Decimus, Dani and Peyton. Dear brother of Elizabeth (Johnny), Benny (Jenny), Mary (Cliff), Ann, Bob, Helen (Ron), Irene (Ray), Amelia (Vic), Sandra (Mike), Jeanne (Ron), Dennis (Tish), Diane and Lorraine (Ron). Dear brother-in-law of Don (Linda), Doug (Linda) and Cheryl (Greg). Several nieces and nephews also survive him.
Friends and family will be received at the Jones Funeral Home at 11582 Trafalgar Rd. in Georgetown, Ont., on Oct. 26 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. A celebration of life will be held in the chapel on Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the Trafalgar Room. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions to the Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills would be appreciated.