To reach the top in any endeavour, whether as a player or official, one needs a large measure of dedication, talent, discipline, and a high level of physical fitness. These were qualities which Bill Fry possessed in abundance, and which enabled the long time Etobicoke resident, in a span of forty years, to reach the top officiating position in the Canadian Football League.

After moving to Toronto from his native Montreal in 1954, Fry began his remarkable career as a football official, joining the Toronto Officials Association and refereeing at the high school, college, junior, intermediate and semi-pro levels with the Ontario Rugby Football Association.

In 1959 Bill Fry joined the Canadian Football League and quickly progressed to the position of game referee. In 1977 he was named the league’s director of officiating.

An example of the esteem in which Fry was held as an official was shown in 1973 when he officiated three national championship games — the junior title match between Regina and Ottawa, the Intermediate showdown between St Vital and Bramalea, and the Grey Cup game between Edmonton and Ottawa.

As a legacy to his days as an official, Fry wrote “The Mechanics of Officiating Football” which continues to be the top manual in the field.

And while Fry is best known for his work in Football, he was also a long time official and administrator with the Toronto Hockey League.