September 12, 1947 – June 21, 2024
Peacefully, with family at his side, Ronald passed away at Grace Hospital on Friday, June 21, 2024.
Ronald, son of Robert and Agnes Frank, was raised on the family farm in West St. Paul, MB with two brothers, David and Kenneth, and sisters, Eleanor, and Doreen.
Ronald loved helping his father with farm work and in the fields. As a child, Ronald was always getting into things and loved to see how things worked and would take apart his wagon and put it back together with an added part or two. Ronald was destined to become an inventor when he realized his dream and maintained a Patent and Trademark for his two businesses known as Springride Canada Inc. and Cushiride Canada Inc. which sold boating marine accessories to camp and lodge outfitters.
Ronald, known as “Ron” graduated from West Kildonan Collegiate, where he met his High School sweetheart, Susan Hudson, whom he admitted was smarter than him in mathematics and helped him achieve a solid “B” score on graduation. He married Susan a couple of years later and after a few years living in the City, they moved back to the original homestead. Susan worked as an accountant for Weidman Foods for 15 years and Ron worked with his father, who started the original “Alumaway Boats” which became “Alumarine Boats Ltd.” The family boat manufacturing business flourished for many years in West St. Paul and later, his brother “Ken” took over ownership of the company and moved it to Main Street for higher productivity and visibility. The company was later sold and operated by his nephew, Russell Denischuk, who carried on for several years. Today, it is owned and operated by a large corporation in Prince Albert, SK.
Ron’s faith in God carried him through many tough times after his wife’s death in 1991. He was recently predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Denischuk in 2021, and Brother-in- Law, Jack Denischuk in 2023 which deeply saddened him. He is survived by his loving daughter, Charlotte Frank, in Winnipeg and his brother-in-law, David (Linda) Hudson in Edmonton, and his brothers, David (Beth) Frank in Kelowna, Kenneth (Debbie) Frank in Winnipeg, and sister, Doreen (Garth) Skinner in Winnipeg and nephews and nieces in Winnipeg, Prince Albert, Calgary and Vernon.
Ron loved his family and shared many family events with them over the years. He was generous and liked to help others and therefore would pick up folks at the food bank and drive them home rather than let them struggle on the bus. His favorite charities were the Salvation Army and Siloam Mission where he donated food and clothing.
Ron was always helpful to his neighbours and would cut their grass when they were occupied or at work, as he was retired.
The Frank family extends sincere gratitude to the ER and ICU doctors and nurses and staff on the 3rd floor of the Grace Hospital who did everything possible to save his life.
In lieu of flowers, pay it forward by making a donation to a charity of your choice, or to a food bank to help a stranger in need of a helping hand.
Rest in peace Dad, as you are home with the Lord now, who had carried you when there was only one set of footprints in the sand. You will be forever missed by all who knew and loved you.
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed, and very dear, Always.
