A life well lived is a lasting inspiration.
80 years ago Frank was born in Saskatoon but hung his hat in many locations – Burnaby, Ucluelet, Vanderhoof, Clinton, Belfast, London and Sidney. Over his life he was a fisherman, a truck driver and a teacher. He loved kids and worked in the area of special needs and computer science.
Frank enjoyed playing and watching many sports – curling, cross country skiing, baseball, hockey, basketball, tennis, squash, pickleball and most of all cycling. He was a man for adventure, together with his wife Liz they did back country horse trekking, heli-hiking on the Queen Charlotte Islands, RVing around North America, canoeing the lakes and rivers of BC, extensive travel in the UK, New Zealand and Australia and many cycle adventures including two trips across Canada.
He was a keen bridge player, avid reader, a whiz at board games, loved animals, enjoyed gardening and sang with the birds.
Will be greatly missed by wife Liz, daughters Tracy (Peter), Lisa (Mike) and Kim (Owen), grandchildren JD, Jennifer, Stephanie and Amy as well as many other family members and friends. Predeceased by his son Rick.
My sister Lori has my thoughts pretty much covered. I am truly missing Frank and Liz’s visits and hope you can still visit Liz with someone in your family. What a shock and missing you very much Frank.
Frank… a truly dear man and a wonderful Dad to my wife Kim. Shared many great times with Frank, the standouts being eating Wurst and quaffing German ales beside the River Spree in Berlin, cycling among the castles, woods and fountains of Potsdam, watching the baseball on TV (especially my team Milwaukee Brewers, for all my sins lol), and attending the rugby on autumnal afternoons at James Bay AA in Victoria BC with Mike Greenly. Thanks for so many truly great times, Rest in Peace Frank, OP.
Dear Lisa.
Frank’s passing has been a shock. I did not know he had illness. From the ’94-’95 exchange, he and Liz had become friends. Frank had so much warmth and friendship. He was a gentleman. They visited me 3 times in Northern Ireland. I will miss him very much. I send heartfelt sympathy to you, Liz and your family, as we remember a life so very well lived.
With deepest sympathy in your sad loss. From Amber Adams.
Frank will always be Rick and Tracy’s dad to me; having known the Thompson clan for most of my life.
Frank had a great sense of humour, and loved joking around with us as kids and adults.
He was thoughtful intelligent and game to try new things and new ideas.
A kind and soft spoken man with a genuine interest in others and how they were doing.
He’ll be greatly missed by family and friends and I just know that he’s sharing a beer and a laugh with Rick now.
Hugs
Lori
Frank is my cousin, his dad Vic Deschenes and my mom Blanche being siblings. We lost track of each other until we were reunited when Vic passed away, and since then my sister Deanna and I have been delighted to get to know him and Liz. He went out of his way to see our dad Larry often, and has been a regular welcome visitor to both our homes over these past few years. Many a happy time has been spent hearing stories of his loving care of his students, his days as a fisherman, and his travels with Liz. Seeing them arrive, tiny camper carrying bicycles and minimal supplies, brought smiles all around!
Robert and I are so sorry to have lost Frank so suddenly. Love to all his family.
Thank you for the good times Frank. I met you when I was a young kid and you were like a grandfather figure and a great role model. It was just like you were part of my family. You were a kind and positive person with a relaxed energy and always good to be around. It was a pleasure knowing someone so kind and pure hearted and you will be dearly missed. You are the example that life should be lived to the full. I’m very sad to hear you’ve passed but I hope your memory can help me live my life to the full as well as you did.
Lots of love
Zach
Frank “adopted” me (and my son Zach) 1994, a single orphaned Mum, taking me under his wing. We had a standing joke I was daughter #3. Throughout the years Frank and Liz would visit and come stay with me, in New Zealand and the UK. We holidayed together, and would put the world to rights long into the night. Frank was a rock – a wise, gentle and profound man, always at the ready with advice and practical help. He would arrive with a screwdriver and fix whatever needed fixing. I last saw Frank 2017 when he and Liz came to stay. I never imagined that would be the last time I would see him. The plan was always to go stay with them on Vancouver Island. There is now a great big gaping Frank shaped hole in my heart. Frank would not want us to weep, but treasure all the great memories, of which there are so many. Until we meet again “Pa” on the other side, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. Daughter #3 xxx