Varrick Frissell Cox
March 17, 1931 to September 6, 2021
Obituary
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on September 6, 2021 at age 90. Leaving to celebrate his life his best friend and partner of nearly 40 years, Ruby Carter; his son Stephen whom he absolutely cherished; three beautiful grandchildren, Kristen, Ashley and Ryan; sister Elizabeth Reid; nephew Robert Cook (Maureen) and a large circle of family and friends including the Friday night gang, the Grand Pond crowd and Team Awesome. Special and heartfelt thanks to wonderful friends who supported the family during Varrick’s final hours. The family is full of gratitude for their unwavering love and support.
Varrick was born on March 17, 1931, in the Battery, adjacent to St. John’s Harbour. From an early age, with St. John’s Harbour as his playground, he discovered his love of ships. While he was best known as a model shipwright, Varrick also built many boats like rodneys, motorboats, and even, the last Newfoundland schooner ever built in St. John’s Harbour in Maggoty Cove during 1966-67. Varrick’s model ships can be found all over the world in private collections, boardrooms and museums, including the Greenwich Museum in London. His extensive knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador ships and boats of all types was renowned and sometimes overwhelming to those who did not understand his passion.
While Varrick sometimes could come across as staunchly opinionated and direct, he was a loving, kind and compassionate soul who loved poetry, literature and art. He would often recite poetry to the amazement of friends. Undoubtedly his greatest love was for his son, Stephen, of whom he was so proud and who he could not talk about without his eyes filling with tears. Stephen and his family brought him much joy and happiness, often the topic of discussion with family and friends.
Varrick’s compassion was seen in his love of animals and he would often say that “you should never kill anything that you can’t make.” Varrick would capture flies and bees, trapped in the house, and set them free, he even rescued a baby robin and fed him until he was strong enough to fly and “fend for himself.” He loved walking with Odin around Portugal Cove Road, and later Octagon Pond, and cuddling with Yogi.
Cremation has taken place and according to Varrick’s wishes, and consistent with the first two lines of one of this favourite poems by Christina Rossetti, which reads “when I am dead my dearest, sing no sad songs for me,” there will be no visitation or service.
Deepest condolences to Stephen and family. I boarded with your Mom & Dad from the spring of 1970 until graduation from the College of Trades & Technology in June of 1971. I would walk by you house on Portugal Cove Road and Varrick was laying the keel for the 65′ schooner. Noticing other students from CTT coming and going from the house. I asked Varrick if they were taking more boarders and his reply was go knock on the door and ask Linda. When your Mom said yes she had room for one more, I moved in the following week and your Mom & Dad were the perfect hosts. Linda was a great cook and Varrick let me into his basement workshop where he marked out all the ribs for the schooner and laminated them from 1″x6″ juniper. I’m not sure when the schooner was launched, but I’m guessing the fall of 1971 or spring/summer of 1972. Varrick was one of the more interesting and knowledgeable people I have had the pleasure to meet in my 70 years!
To you Ruby, Steve and family, my deepest and most sincere condolences . Sad news indeed to hear that Varrick, a unique, talented and very special human being had passed away. A good friend and colleague for over sixty years, Varrick will be sorely missed. I will cherish the memories.
Pete Dawson
Vancouver Island, B.C.
Ruby, Steven and Family, so sorry to hear of Varick’s passing. Newfoundland has lost it’s greatest model ship and boat builder. I think some of his greatest work is on display at the Provincial Seamen’s Museum, Grand Bank. I cherish the time spent working with him at the NL Museum Workshop, Pleasantville and the many after hours spent working on models for the Marystown Shipyard. Varick , being a master model maker, had a keen eye for good work of others in his field. He also had a great distain for shoddy workmanship. One of his most memorable sayings that I will always remember was when he saw a boat or ship that wasn’t quite up to par was; “The best part of her is still left in the woods”. He will always be remembered, all the beat from Gerald & Daisy Crews
Knew Varrick at old Newfoundland Museum where I worked from 1982. Always thought he was undervalued by management and that he could have added significantly more to the collection through his models and extensive maritime knowledge.
Sad to lose yet another great, albeit gruff, talented character, from the old museum.
My deepest condolences to Ruby and family.
Ruby:
So sad to hear of Varrick’s passing.. We have many happy memories of him, both at Bldg 908 and at the museum. Please take care of yourself.
Dear Ruby: So sorry to hear about Varrick. I have so many fond memories of working with you and Varrick at the museum and spending fun time at your house. Please take care. You and Stephen and family are in my thoughts.
Ruby and family,
I was so sad to hear about Varick’s passing. We worked together for many years and had many conversations with many a laugh included. He was the salt of the earth and to quote from a folksong “he was a pretty good man, if you ask me”. You can’t say better than that about anyone.
Stephen and family, I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing, I remember when your mom and dad moved to Portugal Cove Road, and you were born, he was so proud of you. I will keep you and yours in my prayers.
To Ruby, Stephen and family. Our deepest condolences go to you. We will always remember him with a smile. His intelligence, wit and energy was so unique and engaging. Hard to imagine not seeing him in the Rodney or arguing about the world at large or creation with him anymore.
Ruby , so saddened to hear of Varrick’s passing . Fond memories of working with him at the Dept. of Tourism and visits to his cabin . Our prayers are with you and the family .
So sorry to hear of Varririck’s passing. Condolences to the family.
Dear Ruby & Stephen and Family,
Varrick was such a special partner, father, grandfather, and friend. Everyone who has had the pleasure of getting to know Varrick will have so many special memories of him, a special conversation, seeing examples of his many talents, his very special relationship with Ruby and Stephen and his family, and watching him rowing the Rodney down Grand Pond to name but a few.. As we think about those special memories you can’t help but have a little smile on your face.
He was so kind, warm, and loving to everyone and everything, it was always a pleasure to be in his company. Verrick was such a wonderful and unique person, we are grateful to have shared some wonderful times together.
Sending you all our love,.
Charmaine and Craig.
Ruby,
Sending you condolences and love at this sad time.
Thinking of you and the family.
Ruby:
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of Varrick! I know how much he will be missed by you, his family and friends. Cheerish and find comforth in all of the wonderful moments and memories that you both shared.
I am thinking about you during this very difficult time.
Ruby so sad to hear of Varrick’s passing . He was a very special man .we are thinking of you during this very difficult time
Cathy and Gerald
So sorry to hear about Varrick .Sending deepest condolences to the family
Dear Ruby,
My deepest condolences on Varrick’s passing.
Sending hugs.
Juanita
Ruby, So sorry to hear of your loss , my condolences to you and your family.
Stephen and family, we were so very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Cherish the wonderful memories you have of him and hold them close to your heart.
Stephen,
Very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Our condolences to you, Michele, Kristen, Ashley, and Ryan.
Sending deepest condolences to you Ruby. So sorry to hear of your loss.
Ruby..am so saddened to hear of the passing of your sweetheart!!! Please know i am thinking of you and hope you find peace in the knowledge of knowing how much you were adored by this gentleman!! xoxoxo