Fred Beairsto

Frederick (Fred) J. Beairsto will receive an honorary doctor of letters at The University of New Brunswick Fredericton campus’s 195th Encaenia Ceremony on Thursday, May 16.

Fred Beairsto, a lifelong Frederictonian, is an entrepreneur and humanitarian. In 1963, he graduated from UNB with a degree in engineering, then went on to obtain a master of business administration from the University of Western Ontario in 1965.

Mr. Beairsto was a major contractor and businessman in New Brunswick, and has served on a wide array of industry boards and councils. After purchasing W.J. Beairsto Co. Ltd., he built the small plumbing and contracting company into one of the largest mechanical contracting businesses in the province. In addition, he also co-founded P.E.S. Sales Ltd. and Beacon Hill Investments Inc. He has served as president of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and received the Small Business Award for exemplifying the spirit of ‘free enterprise’ and making a successful contribution to quality of life in the community.

Mr. Beairsto held the position of president of UNB’s Alumni Council and was a respected member of the university’s Senate and Board. In 1982, UNB presented him with an Alumni Award of Honour which recognizes outstanding service and commitment to UNB and the Associated Alumni. Understanding that students often face financial challenges, his wife, Dixie, and he created the Fred and Dixie Beairsto Emergency Aid Fund to support undergraduate students in need. Fred and Dixie are also proud parents of four UNB graduates.

Fred Beairsto has been recognized with an Order of New Brunswick, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Citizens Award, the Fredericton Community Foundation’s Philanthropy in Action Award, Rotary International's Paul Harris Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick’s Excellence in Aging Award.

Participating in provincial and national politics, he notably co-chaired the Citizen’s Committee on Language and Culture in 1991, a role focused on fostering understanding between francophone and anglophone communities. He also participated in discussions at the federal level around the Meech Lake Accord.