FRANCIS (FRANK) WILLIAM TOWNSEND MR. KENORA

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FRANCIS (FRANK) WILLIAM TOWNSEND MR. KENORA It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank Townsend on January 19, 2000, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital. This, just days after the Anniversary of the Proclamation of Frank Townsend Day by Mayor K. Winkler (January 15, 1983) due to his work on the Centennial Committee. Frank will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by Patricia Fisette; his brother Ken (Betty) Townsend; sister Iris Armour; children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (in order of family) Carol and Jim, Robert and Lynne (Christian, Olivia) Lunny, Cathy and Mark (Easten) Milleard; Gerald and Dianne, Craig Townsend; Debbie and Ed, Kimberly, Johnathon Kubera; Debby and Bill (Will, Chase) Thomas; Grant and Sandy Fisette, Keith and Jen, Matthew Boutilier, Joy and Darren (Klersten) Foley; Cindy, Grant (Ashley, Danielle) Mason; as well as many more friends and relatives. Frank was born November 8, 1919 in Birmingham, England. He moved to Winnipeg with his parents when he was just five. He grew up in the North End, for which he was very proud. He later joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, during which time he was also a basketball referee. In 1947, Frank formed the first Basketball Referees Association, for which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He also broadcast boxing and wrestling from Winnipeg as well as St. Paul, Minnesota. Frank definitely enjoyed his sports, observing and participating in them. In 1956, Frank moved to Kenora to manage Zeal and Gold Clothing Store. >From 1961 to 1981 Frank owned and operated Town & Country Home Furnishings here in Kenora as well as stores in Dryden and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Throughout the years, Franks spent most of his time and energy as Chairman of many fund-raising committees, such as the Lake of the Woods Museum, the Kenora Bass International Tournament and the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, raising well over a million dollars. Frank was the master at being the Master of Ceremonies. He acted as the MC for many community projects and organizations such as the RCMP Musical Ride, the Cancer Society and the Kinsmens Cystic Fibrosis Campaign, just to name a few. Frank was known as MR. KENORA because of his undying pride, devotion and loyalty to his town. Wherever he was, he enjoyed meeting new people. He never met a stranger, as he put it. He found good in everyone. He had recently received special awards for community service work from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and was made a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Canada as well as Melvin Jones Fellow from the Lions Club of Canada. Frank also received Honourary Life Member Awards from the Lake of Woods Shrine Club, the Kenora Lions Club and Kenora Curling Club. Frank had received many more awards and recognitions than we can possibly recite. He cherished them all. We will miss you a great deal Frank! There will be a viewing held Sunday, January 23, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., including a Masonic Memorial Service at 8:15 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, 429 Second Street South, all welcome. Funeral Services will be held Monday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Albans Cathedral, 312 Main Street South. Reception to follow at the Lakeside Inn, all welcome. Burial of Cremation will take place Thursday, January 27, at 1:00 p.m. at the Lake of the Woods Cemetery, 9th Street North.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 23, 2000