Amateur naturalist, volunteer, longtime Claremont resident

Longtime Claremont resident Alan Sydney “Fraser” Pemberton died at home on February 1 of COPD-related causes. He was 86. 

Fraser was born in Hertfordshire, England and emigrated to Ontario, Canada at age 17, where he found work on a farm. He then joined Babson Bros. Co. as a salesman, and worked there for many years, in a variety of roles, living in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. 

While living in Calgary, Alberta, he took a holiday to California, where he met Beverly Paxson. They were married in 1962 and recently celebrated their 58th anniversary. 

Their two children were born in Canada. The family moved to the Chicago area in 1976, where Mr. Pemberton worked at Babson Bros. headquarters. In 1987 he left corporate life behind and moved to California, first to Visalia, and then to Claremont.

He was a keen amateur botanist, bird watcher, and volunteer at Pomona Valley Audubon Society  and The California Botanic Garden, where he led garden and bird watching tours and was a docent for many school class programs. 

Among his family, he was known for his sense of humor and love of music, reading, tennis, soccer and golf.

He is survived by his wife Beverly, now residing at Claremont Care Center in Pomona; children Suzanne and Stuart; and grandchildren Josh and Ash.

Donations in his memory may be sent to California Botanic Garden at https://www.calbg.org/support/tribute-gifts. 

A memorial service will be held in the future, when travel is safe for Mr. Pemberton’s family in England.