History Series: It was with great sadness that our pipe band community lost Dr. James Nolan Fryer on 27 March 2003, at the age of 55. He was a full professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa and he was, most recently before his passing, Assistant Dean of Research and Informatics. Jim was born in Stratford, Ontario and started piping at a young age in nearby Ingersoll. He competed on the Southwestern Ontario solo circuit and was routinely at the top of the prize lists. With his abilities, Jim soon found his way to the renowned Clan MacFarlane in 1965.
When Jim came to the University of Ottawa in 1978, his university research and teaching, along with his young family, took up most of his time. In the mid-1980s, however, he started playing again and joined the new and exciting Dunvegan Pipe Band in 1985. Jim served as the President of the Dunvegan Band Executive during that period. He was also a keen supporter of the PPBSO, serving as President on the Ottawa Branch from 1986 through 1989.