Sadly Frank passed away on January 28, 2021. He was predeceased by his 4 brothers, 6 sisters and his beloved daughter, Laurie. Frank is survived by his wife Marion; sons, Mark, Paul (Laura), Brent, Ryan (Janine) and Glen (Linda); grandchildren, Melissa, Katelyn (Rob), Kyle, Jordan, Kahlina (Jan), Braeden, Megan and adorable great-granddaughters, Lilian, Charlotte and Soule as well as many nieces and nephews here and across Canada.
Frank was born on March 7, 1929 in Newcastle England. He emigrated with his family to a farm near Edmonton that same year. He returned to England with his parents and the younger members of the family in 1936. Frank’s father worked in Portsmouth during the war. Frank had vivid memories of the air raids and was evacuated twice with his sister and 2 brothers to a safer area. In 1947 Frank returned to Canada and came to Victoria with his brother Jim.
Soccer was Frank’s passion and he immediately joined a soccer club and was involved in soccer as a player and coach for the next 40 years. He coached juvenile soccer in Gordon Head for 25 years and men’s teams – Vic West, the O’Keefe’s of the Pacific Coast League, Vic West United and the London Boxing club in the Island league. At one point he was coaching 2 juvenile teams and a men’s team at the same time! Frank is in the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame as a player with Vic West and as a coach with the London Boxing Club when the team won the Canadian Championship and as a coach with the O’Keefe’s when the team won the Kennedy Cup in 1967.
Frank worked for the Provincial Government and then the City of Victoria as the Data Processing Manager and set up the computer system. He then sold Life Insurance and PCs to small businesses.
Frank had “the gift of the gab” (his Irish heritage!) and enjoyed meeting people. In retirement, Frank enjoyed travelling with Marion especially to England and Ireland as he was researching his ancestry and he met many relatives he did not know he had.
Frank is remembered for his wry sense of humour, his welcoming nature and his readiness to lend a hand.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Thank-you to the staff at Bridgeview for their gentle care of Frank. If desired, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Rest in Peace Frank with Laurie by your side.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Mike Graham
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Brian Robinson Marion, it is a sad day to hear of your loss. Frank was a father to me and a mentor of the best kind! Our worlds have taken a hard shin hacking. I am blessed to have had Frank in my life and the soccer world has lost a very good friend. He has touched many a player and always looking to help us all improve. Frank had a gift of encouragement and a smile that was peaceful and welcoming. Marion, Frank has hung up his boots and I know God is saying you played a great game Frank! Love Brian
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Anna Grealy I will miss you, Uncle Frank. Best Godfather anyone could hope for. I will hold fond memories of you in my heart, always, until we meet again!
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Bob Bolitho Dear old friend, on hearing the news of your passing my heart sank and I felt it stopped for a moment. You where my mentor and dear friend. We are a great distance apart and many years have past but I still recall like it was yesterday a group of young rowdy soccer players chanting and singing enjoying our friendship as we created a special bond that can and will never be broken.
It’s a sad day for our Victoria soccer community we have lost not only a great coach a wonderful man but a dear friend.
Rest In Peace Frank, gone but never forgotten.
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Dean Stokes Marion and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
So many memories with Frank as my coach and mentor. He was a dear friend.
We were a team but also a family.
He was always there as a devoted coach along with his wit, kindness, values and respect for everyone.
The Victoria Soccer community has lost a great man.
Jill and Dean Stokes
Rest In Peace Frank ⚽️
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Victoria and Tony Harkness May God bless you and yours our condolences and prayers go out to your family. Lots of love from the Harkness, Sarmiento and Kim families in Southern California
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Diana Griffin Thinking of all of you at this sad time and knowing that your great memories will help you through the coming days. Our hearts and prayers are with you. Love Diana and Mike
Ps I think he’ll love the urn. Brilliant idea. I can see him smiling proudly
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Jordan Love you grandpa. Rest in peace.
My condolences to Marion, and Frank’s sons & other family members, on this occasion. I wish you all the best.