About the Authors

Ted  Fearnley

Born in 1932, Ted spent his younger years getting in and out of trouble. After graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto, he spent a few years in structural design. Later, he designed highways and other roads for a major Toronto consulting firm. Then, in 1971, he formed his own consulting business and worked as a specialist in traffic, and road planning and design. For over thirty years Ted wrote technical reports concerning highway routes and traffic analyses and never once succumbed to the temptation of inserting a humorous comment.

He pined away writing normal, detailed, boring reports despite a secretive career-long desire to write a humorous traffic report. This was probably his most impossible dream—doomed to failure because of an incompatible approach to a mundane subject.

Ted gave up Civil Engineering for a career in sales as the Canadian representative for an innovative American company that sells Camera Lowering Systems and other unique roadway safety products. This new line of work proved to be more interesting and much more rewarding.

Sadly, nine years after publishing this book, Ted passed away on November 6, 2017. However, Ted’s three children, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren, all remember Ted’s life with fondness and laughter.

Rick  Fearnley

After high school Rick became an entertainer and took to the stage as an illusionist in a large scale Magic Show. He was billed as The Amazing Rick Fearnley. Later, he transitioned into stand-up comedy and shared the stage with many notable comics such as John Candy, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin and Jim Carrey.

Rick has worked as an Air Traffic Controller, been involved with major theatrical productions, and used his experience in retail management to help him run various businesses from vending routes to sound studios.

He now works as a 911 operator and Police Dispatcher for The Toronto Police Service. He is often asked for his editorial comments concerning manuals and documents produced by the unit responsible for training 911 personnel. In 2005 Rick was honoured with the highest award in his profession—Communications Operator of the Year.

He has been married for thirty years to his wife, Annette, and they have three children, Rachel, Andrew, and Jaclyn. Rick and Annette live in Aurora, Ontario, and together they attend church and spend much of their free time entertaining guests at their cottage in Muskoka, Canada.