Friends, family and former colleagues gathered on Friday to farewell former Foxtel executive Fraser Stark, who died aged 48, following a long battle with illness.
Stark was remembered for his sharp creative instincts and deep industry knowledge, and for the warmth, humour and generosity that made him a beloved figure in Australian TV.
His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners at Waverly Cemetery with a wake at Bronte Bowling Club.
Stark joined Foxtel in 2008 as a Programme Executive and steadily rose through the ranks, under the late Brian Walsh, eventually becoming Group General Manager – Entertainment & Music. In that role, he oversaw a portfolio of channels that included History, Bio, and Foxtel Arts, and led the charge on key commissions and programming initiatives.
He was the executive producer for Foxtel on Fire Fight Australia and Screen with Margaret Pomeranz and Graeme Blundell.
Fraser Stark
Former colleagues have described Stark as a strategic thinker with a creative flair. He had a passion for the arts, helping to carve out space for Australian cultural content through Foxtel Arts and other platforms.
Following his departure from Foxtel he joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as Chief of Marketing & Business Development.
“Fraser had an eye for the unique and a heart for the meaningful,” said one former Foxtel colleague. “He fought for shows and ideas that mattered deeply to him. His work enriched the industry and so many of us who were lucky to work with him.”
Beyond the boardroom, Stark was known for his mentorship with several mourners at his funeral sharing memories of his guidance and thoughtful support.
He is survived by his family and husband, Michael.