FRANKLIN AZAM MASSEY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FRANKLIN AZAM MASSEY has gracefully departed from this world. He left with great dignity in the arms of his two sons. His battle ended against a heart that was physically weak but so spiritually strong. He has touched so many lives, even in his late illness, none more though than his sons. He always prayed for those around him in his life and in 2003 he survived a great battle by the prayers of family and friends. This seemed so fitting for someone who always gave more than he could possibly receive. Our dad was and is a true witness to God's endless compassion and a testimony to his awesome power and promises. Franklin was born on August 31, 1948 in a town called Lyallpur in Pakistan. He enjoyed a beautiful childhood filled with adventure and excitement. As he started to learn more about the world around him, he realized that Pakistan was not to be his home and started to think about making his life more enriched by moving himself and his family to a new country. They needed to live in a place where they really felt they belonged. He was a family man right from the beginning and began to work in Saudi Arabia at the young age of 19 to help support his family. He continued to support his family from there and eventually earned enough money to help them move to another part of the world. It was God's plan for his family to move to Canada, he helped his family make the journey to this country before he finally came here. His journey to Canada would be the start of a new beginning and the days that would follow would be his best. He has always led a life of being a master of his own destiny and as such he started to make his mark in this world. For the first time in his life he felt at home and cherished every day here. He became a proud Canadian. He never felt he could truly achieve his true potential by working for others, so he naturally went into business for himself. His mind could have no boundaries placed upon it. His greatest asset has been his ability to envision what he wants to accomplish and set out a plan to succeed. Never wanting to stand still, he always set the bar higher each time he would achieve any goal. As such, he valiantly went into battle in the business world building accolades and great friendships along the way. He was a man who was extremely humble yet commanded respect because he respected all who came his way. He always had another plan when roadblocks popped up and often achieved his successes against all odds. He was a distinguished gentleman, always attiring himself in a powerful suit and tie and walking with utmost confidence. He had tremendous presence when he walked into a room. He had the softest hands but they were key instruments in his negotiation skills in business, love for his family, his passion for writing calligraphy, and compassion for others in this world. He was a big thinker and visionary, always thinking about something. He never let one moment go by without thinking about how to achieve his personal goals and move forward in life. His life revolved around the business world. Even on a memorable vacation with his two sons in Hawaii, one of the very few vacations he took in his life, he was still on the phone from time to time making phone calls to keep the business going. Building a business was not only his passion but also a hobby and one of his life's works. Even though the business was on his mind 24 hours a day, he always made the same amount of time and more available for his two children and remaining family. Here was a man who could juggle 48 hours worth of time in just 24. He went into business on his own for himself at an early age and has become a self-made success story. Everything that he has accomplished in life has been completely on his own and his driving force has always been from his two sons. He wanted to leave them a legacy that they could continue to build upon and carry on the Massey name with pride. He gave more love to his two sons and family than seemed humanly possible. He was the pillar of strength in our family and keeper of its peace. His passion in this world has always been to see his two sons grow into successful men by providing them with his own life experiences and teaching them those lessons that had been passed on to him and those lessons that he had to learn on his own. He had the ability to make everyone feel very special. He could take someone who did not care about him or herself and make that person feel like he or she was most the important person in this world. He enjoyed making people not only feel good but he also enjoyed a good laugh and joke with them. He had a great eye for beautiful things. Clothing, plants, flowers, fine furniture, and beautiful art pieces were some of his favourite possessions and each one was acquired with a special purpose or meaning. Prior to his illness he loved to be active and enjoy life. He would perform workouts at the university gym in an attempt to out muscle his two sons. He enjoyed going to dance classes and became a great ballroom dancer. He would love to go to Christmas concerts and really enjoyed fun filled family events, especially planning them. He lived life to the fullest because he was around people who loved life the way he did. On behalf of our dad, brother and uncle, we the Massey family would like to thank the St. Boniface Hospital for their skilled expertise, unending compassion, and utmost professionalism. Your staff was instrumental in his survival beyond 2003 and we are sure he made your lives easier with his positive, winning attitude, and appreciation for all your dedicated work. Your institution should be an example to the world in patient care. Franklin Massey's legacy lives on through his two sons Carl and David, sisters Iris and Edvina, brother Fred, brother-in-law Isaac, sister-in-law Rahat, nieces Ivy, Eileen, Racheal and Eliza, nephews Ivan and Eric, and so so many more family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 15, at Calvary Temple, 400 Hargrave Street, with visitation one hour prior to the service time. Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, with a reception at the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home Reception Centre. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2005