FRANK HARPER

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FRANK HARPER A Tribute to our Grandfather Frank Harper Frank Harper was a much loved and adored father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Frank, a gentleman who cherished his family and friends for 102 years, passed away on November 15, 2006 in his hometown of Winnipeg, MB. In 1908, Frank, with his sisters, Amy, Edith and Jessie, and parents, Herbert and Marie Ann moved from Manchester, England to their new Canadian homestead 20 miles from Maidstone, SK. In Frank's short chronicle A Pioneer Story , he recalls fondly his days attending school with his sisters, whom he loved dearly. At the age of 15, Frank began working at Eatons in Winnipeg. As a pastry chef, Frank's creativity flourished, as he produced delectable desserts savoured by his many loyal customers. His icing flowers glistened like their real counterpart, for there was nothing his nimble hands could not duplicate in sugar. Frank's success continued, as he became Manager of Produce. This allowed Frank to travel throughout North America, as the purchaser for Eatons' Produce Department. It was during this time that Frank met the love of his life, Eileen Cartney. The nurse, caring for an injured Frank at the Misericordia Hospital, did not stand a chance against his delightful charm. Frank fell in love with Eileen, and throughout his 102 years, loved her eternally. Frank and Eileen became a family with the birth of their two daughters, Lois and Rosalind. He always treasured his daughters who made him immensely proud. Frank, the bon vivant, spent his retirement years travelling with Eileen to their favourite destinations, including Biloxi, MI. Frank Harper relished each and every day. At the age of 65, he took up golfing, and spent many years enjoying his time at the Windsor Golf Club. When he wasn't in the kitchen baking Dundee cake or tending to his blossoming begonias, Frank was a devoted and loving father and grandfather. Many Sunday night dinners on Sunset Boulevard ended with Frank entertaining his family singing with his ukulele songs that he had sung forty years earlier on the radio. Our grandfather conquered adversity with humour and a love of English Double Devon Cream and toffee which he delighted in sharing with all of his caregivers who lovingly spoiled him at Catherine Place and the Misericordia Hospital. Frank's family would like to thank his loyal friends, Wilma, Lil, and Zena. Frank Harper was an exceptional man, who left an incomparable imprint on our lives. His life was beautifully abundant in love and we will never forget the man that we called Grampa . Written by Joelle Prober on behalf of Rosalind and Jay Prober, Lois and Ted Newbold, Jaime Prober, CJ and Lori Prober and their daughters, Molly and Kasey, Paul Singh, Michael and Joanne Varey and their children, Kayla and Erik Varey, Georgann and Al Brolly and their children, Jesse and Erin, Heather and Michael Young and their children, Lauren, Jonathan and Jillian Young and David Varey.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 26, 2006