Fraser James Cowan

Fraser was born and raised in Vernon, BC. He attended St. James Catholic School, where he was lucky enough to build lifelong friendships, then graduated from WL Seaton Secondary in 2008. He spent four years working at the Sookinchoot Native Youth Centre, where he provided indigenous youth with resources to expand their education and career goals within arts and technology. Fraser then moved to Victoria to attend UVIC. Victoria became Fraser’s second home, where he met his best friend and wife, Hershey. Although their time together was not long enough, they made lasting memories, among those being the many trips they took to their favourite place on earth – Disneyland.

Fraser was diagnosed with a rare pancreatic cancer in 2022. He defied the odds, changing the statistics for the type of cancer he had, and went into remission. Fraser was treated by the same oncologist as musician Randy Bachman, which was an often-discussed topic of conversation. After beating cancer twice, it returned a third time and despite fighting as hard as he could, his body was just not as strong as his spirit. Fraser took his last breaths surrounded by love in Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital.

Fraser’s medical support team was phenomenal. We’d like to extend special thanks to Dr. Fibich of the BC Cancer Centre in Victoria. He never stopped looking for options and answers right to the end.

Left to mourn Fraser are his wife, Hershey Cowan, father Don Cowan, mother Kari Cameron (Rob Ferroux), nephew Jacob Schaffer, sisters Stephanie Cowan, Suzanne Ferroux (Brady), Robynn Ferroux (Ryan), father-in-law Conrado Abelida Jr., mother-in-law Myrna Cubangbang, brother-in-law Matthew Nava (Yashna), grandmother Vera Cameron, his oldest friends Garett Lawrence, Shea Phelan and Trae Phelan, plus countless aunts, uncles, cousins and friends from both Vernon and Victoria. Fraser was predeceased by his uncle Scotty Cameron, grandparents Jim Cameron and Tom and Alys Cowan.

All are invited and welcome to a Celebration of Fraser’s life at the Okanagan Indian Band Head of the Lake Hall (118 Head of the Lake Road, Vernon, BC) at 11:00am on Saturday, February 21, 2026. A lunch of some of Fraser’s favourite foods will be provided. Burial will take place at 3:00pm in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual link can be provided