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FRANK MERVYN CAVERS
Born: Apr 09, 1937
Date of Passing: Apr 01, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryFRANK MERVYN CAVERS
Merv passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026.
Merv is survived by his wife, Janice and daughters, Sharon and Val and son-in-law Al Macgillivray, grandchildren, Madrin (Mielen) and Francis and by his sister Pat and husband Harvey Anton.
Dad was born in Winnipeg and spent childhood years in Virden and Victoria before the family settled on Fleet Avenue in Winnipeg. He met Jan, a Warsaw Crescent girl, and they were a couple from day one until the end. Dad got a taste of adventure serving a stint on the Mid Canada Line and forged a career in telecommunications with the majority of years spent with Manitoba Telephone Systems (MTS). He took advantage of the opportunity to move the family to Ottawa for two great years and work with Trans-Canada Telephone Systems.
What Dad would want to be remembered for is his love of adventure and nature.
Adventure led to canoe trips; Dad canoed some of the most iconic rivers in Canada, the Churchill, the Coppermine and Nahanni. His slide shows from those trips dazzled us as kids and sparked reverence for his paddling skills. Dad was a cross-country skier. He loved to ski and could be found on the Birds Hill Park trails many winter weekends. Dad took on new adventures and with some close friends, discovered the beauty of Nepal. He fell in love with Nepal, trekking and eventually supporting guides on group excursions. Back home, Dad was a relentless competitor. He trained tirelessly for triathlons and various races and fulfilled a childhood dream by learning to fly. He loved swimming, skiing and cycling; we know that he made many good friends along the way.
Dad shared his passions with us and with his grandkids. He was a patient coach and teacher. He was a loving husband, and the two high school sweethearts shared a strong bond and enjoyed many adventures together along the way.
Dad had such a variety of interests and passions, and he explored them all with great enthusiasm. He lived a very full, happy life. He had many close friendships and held his family and friends in high esteem.
Merv loved his city, Winnipeg. In his memory, please consider a donation to the Winnipeg Foundation.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 11, 2026
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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I have great memories of adventures with or because of Merv. Paddling a canoe, trekking in Nepal, training for triathlons, all done with or because of Merv. Thanks for the memories Merv. Mike Riley. - Posted by: Mike Riley (Friend) on: Apr 11, 2026
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Sincere condolences to Merv’s family on his passing. I had the great pleasure of trekking in Nepal with a group led by Merv. It’s early 1996. I came across an Everest Trekking Canada advertisement. An idea forms. Wouldn’t that be a special experience to share with my Dad (Pa) and my brother Marc! Pa was 74, 2 years removed from Prostate Cancer surgery. Was this even possible? I phoned Merv and he suggested the 4 of us meet at Tim Horton’s. Merv listened, explained, assessed, concluded... "Sounds great, would really like to have you 3 in my group!" Merv was a fantastic leader…knowledgeable, passionate, very smart, patient with a great sense of humour! I am forever thankful for opportunity of having met Merv which led to an incredible experience of a lifetime which the three of us shared with fellow Canadians Merv, Sharon (Merv’s daughter), Liz & Al, Marie and Archie. - Posted by: Guy Arbez (Nepal trekking with Merv) on: Apr 11, 2026
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I met Merv the 1st of October 1968 when I started working with him in Equipment Engineering on Empress Street. He was always a kind and generous person. He loved to laugh and joke. My condolences to his family and all his close friends. - Posted by: Laura Marie Peluso (collegue) on: Apr 11, 2026
