Obituary of Jonathan Robert Fraser

Surrounded by family and loved ones, Jonathan Robert Fraser, 42 of Santa Cruz, California, passed away on Feb 10, 2024 following a courageous battle with cancer. Born September 23, 1981, Jon grew up in Westville, Nova Scotia, Canada where he graduated from Westville High School and formed many lifelong friendships. In 2006, Jon graduated from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Applied Science. From there, Jon would spend the next 18 years working within numerous industries, including aerospace, nutrition, bio-medical and technology, all of which helped hone his product design and manufacturing skills and ignite a passion for marketing and business development. Jon’s professional journey would take him to all corners of the globe and introduce him to the thousands of friends and colleagues that inspired him and that he so enjoyed knowing. Always in pursuit of new and unique challenges, Jon moved from Halifax to Boston in 2014. It was there that he met and married his soulmate, Talia with whom he would go on to share all his most epic travels and fulfilling life journeys. In 2020, Jon and Talia, along with their devoted golden retriever, Draper, put down roots in Santa Cruz, California and embarked on the next phase of their life together. Though a truly gifted and inspiring professional in every way, it was Jon’s seemingly endless array of hobbies, passions and side hustles, combined with his deep appreciation for the simple things in life that really gave him the color and depth that drew everyone to him. Whether it was travel, music, the outdoors, flying, cycling or simply just feeding his infectious optimism and insatiable thirst for knowledge, Jon never sat idle and never passed an opportunity to learn something new. Jon is preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, as well as cousin Bobby Pelley. Jon will be missed by his devoted and loving wife Talia Vinograd; parents George and Marilyn Fraser; brother Matthew (Annie) along with nephews Liam and James; parents-in-law Yossi and Polly Vinograd. In addition to his immediate family, Jon leaves behind an incredible network of extended family, friends, and colleagues, who always held a special place in his heart and offered endless love, support and encouragement along his many journeys. Jon was fiercely determined to overcome the odds and his family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the doctors and care teams at the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto, Cedars-Sinai and USC in Los Angeles, and MD Anderson in Houston, as well as to everyone who supported and encouraged Jon throughout his illness. Jon was laid to rest at home of Peace Cemetery in Santa Cruz on February 16, 2024. All are welcome to join a celebration of life in Jon's hometown in Nova Scotia on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Details will be shared as soon as arrangements are finalized. In honor of Jon, donations can be made to NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit founded by Michael Greger, one of Jon's favorite authors who had a profound impact on his fight against cancer. Donations made also be made in Jon's honour to a charity of your choice. A public graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 1:00 pm in the Lorne Cemetery, Lorne, Nova Scotia. A reception will follow the service in the Lorne Community Hall www.angusfuneralhomes.com