People of a certain vintage remember when “The Ed Sullivan Show” was mandatory television viewing each and every Sunday evening. Did you know that Tavistock has its own Ed Sullivan? His name is Fred Funk.

Fred Funk was just 14 years old when he began entertaining audiences. It was a modest start, playing in a small musical group at a Tavistock Horticultural Society meeting. The year was 1925.

By the mid 1940s “Fred Funk and his Variety Entertainers” was considered one of the very best variety shows in southwestern Ontario. It was a stage version of an Ed Sullivan type TV show featuring singers, dancers, acrobats, magicians, instrumentalists and comedians. Fred was the manager and master of ceremonies. A frequent and popular member of the troupe was young Lawrence “Bing” Kelly, a local musical prodigy who sang, yodelled and played the ukulele. Big names at the time like Earl Heywood who was known as “Canada’s No. 1 Singing Cowboy” and the Paul Brothers joined Fred on stage.

Fred always encouraged new talent, young and old alike. For many years he spearheaded the local Talent Quest program, Amateur Night and other venues that showcased new acts and old favourites.

Fred was an entertainer in his own right. He played the piano, drums, harpophone, marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, musical bells and chimes. He did solo acts at garden parties, service clubs, church socials, Christmas parties and even at weddings.

He assembled orchestras, often 8 members, that for years on end played at the Tavistock Tattoo, Frolic, Fall Fair, Variety Concerts, special events and regular weekly dances at the arena. Out-of-town engagements included the famed 42 Wellington, Stratford’s best-known dance place, along with bookings at the Lakeview Casino in Grand Bend and the Walper Hotel in Kitchener, to name just a few.

For decades Fred played in the Tavistock Citizen’s Band.

While Fred’s musical life was fun and rewarding it didn’t pay all the bills. He earned a paycheque from an early age. Fred was born in Tavistock in 1911 and lived his entire life in the house at 19 Jacob Street East. His father died when Fred was just 14 years old. His mother died a few months later. Fred’s first job was at the local flax mill. A few years later he advertised his services as a painter and wallpaper hanger charging 25 cents an hour with first-class work guaranteed. In time other jobs took precedence but Fred always kept one hand in the paint can.

In 1935 a Fuller Brush dealer convinced him he could sell their products. The first housewife Fred tried selling his products to slammed the door in his face. Most salesman would have left but Fred knocked a second time. When the woman opened the door and shouted “Are you back again?” Fred explained that he had just returned to retrieve his nose. She was so surprised that she invited him in and placed an order. Fred switched to selling Rawleigh Products in 1962. He was a well-known, well-liked, successful door-to-door salesman for 48 years.

Fred had a first-class partner in all of his endeavours …. his wife, Anna. Fred and Anna Gerth were married in 1936. In the days of Fred’s variety shows and orchestras Anna was the co-ordinator, ticket seller, secretary and financial manager. In his days as a painter, decorator and door-to-door salesman Anna did whatever was needed at the time.

Fred Funk died in 1987. Anna passed away in 1995. They are buried at Grace United Church cemetery in Tavistock.

*** Note: Band members in the photo above are, left to right, George Jones, Harold Bingeman, Fred Funk, Margaret Lewis, Edgar Wilker, Susan Mainhart and Glen Gillespie.
If you should know of other people who played in Fred’s orchestra / band over the years please tell us. Our email address is in the Contacts section.