Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Fraser, Charles

Teacher; born Gundagai, NSW, 14 March 1913; died Sydney, NSW, 12 February 2004, aged 90.

With the death of Charles Fraser the province lost the last of his kind, a 'College Man' who spent most of his working life as a teacher in one school, St Ignatius' College, Riverview. Here, for nearly 50 years, he was respected as a teacher of the classics, and spiritual guide and friend to generations of former students.

Fraser was born in Gundagai, but in 1919, when he nearly died from the flu pandemic, his father, Walter, moved to Tumut. Walter had not been a happy student at Riverview in the 1890s, believing that the Jesuits were too strict and strap-happy. He intended that Charles be sent to St Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill, following his older son. But upon Walter's death in 1926, his mother, Eva, sent Charles to Riverview. Homesickness, the severity of the masters, and the death of his father, made his earliest experience at the school unhappy. However, boarding life improved as he and his fellow boarders grew in friendship, despite the strictness of the regime.

Academically, Fraser performed well at school, gaining first place in Grammar B in history in his first year, with third in aggregate the following year, 1927. In his Public Examinations in 1931, he matriculated with As in English, Latin, French and Modern History. In this final year he was a member of the Sodality, Fifth Fifteen and the senior athletic team, in which he was a long distance runner.

He entered the Society at Loyola, Greenwich, NSW, 6 February 1932, completed all his studies in Australia, including an arts degree at the University of Melbourne majoring in Latin, Greek and English. His regency was at Riverview, 1940-42, teaching English and the classics, as well as coaching cricket, football and athletics. He also supervised the Junior Boat Shed.

After tertianship at Loyola, Watsonia in 1947, he was sent to the Holy Name Seminary in New Zealand until 1952, mainly teaching the classics. He returned to New Zealand again 1956-57, after he shot two cows in the Riverview rose garden. He considered these years in New Zealand his exile, but he must have made an impression, as former seminarians would visit him at Riverview many years later.

For the rest of his working life, Fraser taught classics at Riverview. He was a sedentary teacher, with a dry, rasping voice, which resulted in him being called 'Chisel' to generations. He prepared his classes meticulously and controlled them utterly. He was strong on method, care, discipline, and precision rather than enthusiasm for the texts as literature. He regarded Socrates as second only to St Paul as the greatest mere human who had ever lived. He had a bust of Socrates in his bedroom. His favourite books were the Apology, the bible and the Imitation of Christ.

He particularly made an impression on the boys while he was minister, 1962-67, when he had daily contact with the boarders. While firm and strict, he was also fair, with a soft spot for the scallywag and sinner. He was particularly attentive to individual students who had special needs. He roamed the grounds after school setting rabbit traps, digging flowerbeds, or playing squash with tennis racquets in the handball courts with the boys. During these years he was the villa master at Gerroa, enjoying a game of cards in the evening.

For over four decades he was the driving force behind the Old Ignatians Union, molding it into a large, cohesive and valuable force. He travelled to countless country reunions and knew everyone by name. He was always good company, telling stories, drinking, smoking and playing cards. For years he wrote comprehensive notes on the activities of the Old Ignatians for publication in Our Alma Mater, of which he was editor, 1967-84. He was chaplain and honorary secretary to the Union for many years, and was president for the 100th anniversary of the College in 1980. He kept names, addresses, occupation and activities of as many Old Ignatians as possible, and was a vital link between former students and the school. He performed weddings of many Old Boys over the years, finally stopping when he discovered that too many ended up in separation or divorce.

Riverview was the strongest passion in Fraser's life, symbolised in his cultivation of the rose garden. It became one of the features of the school, and it was his kingdom. No one else was permitted to enter, let alone pick the roses. Boys were threatened with suspension if they did so, and adults were very wary about doing anything other than admire the contents. One day he caught some local boys running through the garden. He managed to catch one of them and told him off -'What would you do if you found a stranger in your garden?’ 'I would try to make friends with him' was the embarrassing reply. He also objected to the garden being used for social functions, and on a few occasions the embarrassed school authorities found freshly laid manure around the garden, which did not add to the pleasure of the gathering. Yet, annually with great pride he picked roses for the Valete Dinner, where the Year 12 boys presented their mothers with a rose. Female members of staff and special friends were always delighted when he presented them with a similar gift.

Fraser was an intensely private man, sharing little about his personal life. He was conservative and traditional by nature, and even scrupulous. He was faithful to his daily Mass early in the morning, and the recitation of the breviary and rosary. His faith was strong despite being uncomfortable with many changes in the Church after Vatican II. He went to Manila for a renewal course in the early 1970s, but he returned unimpressed with what he heard. He ceased hearing the confessions of the boys because he said that they did not know the Act of Contrition.

He enjoyed the company of men where he could relax and be himself, and at the same time rude, ironic and cynical. He entertained with his stories and dry wit. In the company of woman he was always the epitome of courtesy and charm, but he never sought out their friendship, except to play bridge. Old Ignatian, Justin Fleming, described him as 'erudite, friendly, cantankerous, sympathetic, irascible, compassionate, scholarly, eloquent, charming, and devout...', a man who combined 'the spirit of disciplined scholarship graced by Christian humanity'. For many Old Ignatians, Fraser represented the heart and mind of Riverview, and a link to the College that was treasured.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)