FRANK GUY REID

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FRANK GUY REID Frank died of a heart attack on Saturday, May 18, at the Victoria General Hospital. He lived a good and simple life, and in many ways over his 72 years made the world a better place because he was here. Frank grew up on a farm outside of Gladstone in a close-knit family with nine children. Although life was hard, there must have been something magical about those years. Without exception, Frank and each of his sisters and brothers went on to live what any of us would regard as good lives, and through it all they stayed close. It is why Frank has so missed his brothers Ken and Jack, who died before him, and why he too will be missed by those who survive him, Harry and Lois Reid, Ada and Arne Dahl, Florence Gilbert, Laura and Orville Dahl, Frances and Lloyd Pyper, Ethel and Charlie Townsend, Leona Reid, and Shirley Reid. Frank married Norma McCracken and they raised their family in Neepawa, where Frank was the town barber for many years. Although he was an avid curler and was involved in the Elks Lodge and the United Church, it was to his family that Frank devoted most of his time. He coached baseball teams, managed hockey teams, and showed up at every imaginable school or social event that made up the lives of his four kids growing up in a small town. Even more importantly, he listened, and through stories and advice he helped guide each one through the trials of growing up. In doing so, he imparted a simple, but defining, worldview: make time for others and try to do good. His way of being will be with them always, but his presence will be missed by Lynne and Glen Black, John and Darlene Reid-Dodick, Laurie and Gilbert Plante, and Kevin and Michele Reid. Because he was such a dedicated father, it was hard for Frank to adjust to having his children grow older, become independent, and move away. But when he became a grandfather, he found his grounding again. Frank had seven grandchildren, Lynnes daughter Chloe, Johns children, Cassie, Jorie, and Cody, Lauries boys, Tyson, Brennan, and Garret, and Kevins boys, Tyler and Nicholas. "Grandpa Frank" can rest easy that his grandchildren will be better people because of the time and attention he devoted to them. Despite the happiness that he enjoyed and shared with others, there were points during his life that Frank wrestled with alcoholism, particularly during the 1960s and again in the early 1980s. In the latter part of his life, he became active in Alcoholics Anonymous, and he proudly celebrated 19 years of sobriety on January 8 of this year. Through the AA program, Frank made many friendships that he valued, and in the wonderful ways of that organization he drew strength himself and gave much support in return. Like his sisters and brothers, his children and their families, Franks friends from AA became family to him, and family was the bedrock of his life. Respecting Franks wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service and reception will be held Wednesday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Green Acres Funeral Chapel, Highway 1 East at Navin Road. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alcoholics Anonymous Manitoba, 208-323 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2C1.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 21, 2002