Obit: Former Spits co-owner Sorrell remembered as a humble go-getter

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A Windsor businessman, former Spitfires co-owner and Rotary Club president is being remembered as a fun loving, happy, generous man who adored his family.

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Fred Sorrell, a retired CKLW radio executive who also co-owned and managed Wheels Roller Rink, garnering him the nickname of Mr. Wheels, died on Tuesday. He was 87.

“We’ve known each other since we were 17 and Fred always had this caring, protective manner with me,” wife Donna Jean Sorrell, 88, said.

“He was a very, very happy person. He was just happy to be on this earth. Happy to be alive.”

Born in Windsor, Sorrell attended Patterson Collegiate, where he formed a singing group known as the DoBoBos with five buddies. They won an audition to appear on a Detroit TV station and remained lifelong friends.

Sorrell began his working life selling advertising for several radio stations before accepting the position of president and general manager of CKLW Radio in 1969.

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During his tenure at CKLW, he joined with three partners to purchase the Windsor Spitfires hockey club.

After leaving CKLW in 1973, he became part owner and manager of Wheels Roller Rink, working there until 1992.

Son David Sorrell said his dad was innovative and thought “outside the box” before the term became popular. I introduced a no smoking policy at Wheels before it was implemented almost anywhere else.

“That was revolutionary and a lot of customers thought it was a joke. They balked at it initially,” David said. “Of course, the families were very happy to send their children.

“(Dad) said roller skating is supposed to be a healthy activity and the last thing you need to be doing is skating into smoke.”

Sorrell also gave his time to volunteer work, serving as president of the Windsor Rotary Club 1918 and as district governor, serving on the St. Clair College Foundation board and with the Windsor Goodfellows.

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“We’re realizing that over the years, with his work with the Rotary Club and Wheels Roller Skating and the Spitfires and CKLW, how many lives he’s touched,” said son Mike Sorrell, adding the family has received many messages since his passing.

“Fred never ever in his life asked for anything for himself,” Donna Jean said. “It was always for us or anybody else.”

She said he always looked forward to his birthday and Christmas.

“The day (his birthday) was over, he’d start talking about next year. It was the only time he ever talked about himself,” she said.

“He had this thing about the Christmas tree never having enough lights on it,” Mike said. “You gotta blow the fuse in the house or it’s just not enough.”

“Which happened one year,” Donna Jean added. “And the turkey didn’t get cooked.”

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Sorrell had a beloved collection of 100 animated Christmas toys that jump, sing and dance, “and always wanted to put them all out every year, which took up half the room,” Mike said. “We certainly kept the battery companies in business over the holidays.”

“He was really a big kid,” Donna Jean added with a laugh.

“He always made sure that we had a good time — whether that was on vacation or at home. I have loved his home from him. I have loved our family.”

Sorrell is survived by wife Donna Jean, sons David and Michael, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial visitation is being held Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-9 pm, followed by a service celebrating his life Wednesday at 11 am at Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave.

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