CAPTAIN FRANK ALBERT JOHN SPOONER

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CAPTAIN FRANK ALBERT JOHN SPOONER WINNIPEG FIRE PARAMEDIC SERVICE May 12, 1937 – August 9, 2008 It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of our dear brother and uncle on Saturday, August 9, at the age of 71 years, after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. Remaining to forever cherish Frank’s memory are his sister Gwen Henderson; five nieces and their spouse, Dorothy Carver (Chester), Joanne Schenkers (Ronald), Wendy Watson (Larry), Judy Boyce (Jim) and Kathy Jackson (Keith) and their families. He was predeceased by his sisters Dorothy Ellen and Mildred Grace; father Frank Leslie; mother Ivy Mildred; and brother-in-law Joseph Henderson. Frank was born on May 12, 1937, in the old Grace Hospital on Arlington Street and Preston Avenue. He was a Coronation baby born on the day of King George sixth coronation. Frank was a lifetime resident of St. James and served with the St. James Fire Department and the City of Winnipeg Fire Department from 1958 until his retirement in 1992 with the rank of Captain with 34 years of service. He was a longtime member on the ANAF #283. Frank’s door was always open to welcome friends, neighbours and relatives and to give support whether it being giving to charity or just a helping hand to those in need. In compliance with Frank’s wishes, a Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the Brookside Cemetery, 3001 Notre Dame Avenue with Chaplain Mark Young of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, presider. For those who wish to attend, please gather at the main cemetery entrance gate at 12:45 p.m. A reception will follow at the ANAF #283, 3584 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB. The family would like to thank Dr. Spence and the staff of Pinawa Hospital, Dr. Harris and Cancer Care in the Grace Hospital as well as the loving home care staff in Lac du Bonnet that made Frank’s stay with his family possible. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg, Foundation Inc., 501 – 840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1, the Rainbow Society, 303 – 1 Wesley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4C6, or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9. Dear Lord Put your arms around him. Hold him in your tender care. Make up to him for all he suffered, and all he had to face. He went through so much in silence to ease the pain of those around him. His spirit didn’t bend, he faced his pain with courage until the very end. It broke our hearts to lose him, but he didn’t go alone. For a part of us went with him the day God called him home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 13, 2008