Frank Hanlan Ward

He is predeceased by his sisters Mary and Jean, brothers Tommy and Harry, and eldest son Tom (2017) and survived by his “Beloved” wife Elizabeth of 64 years; children James (Dulce), Helen, and Ian; grandchildren Kurt, Santiago, Nicole, Tomas, Praise; nieces and nephews Raymond, Allan, Donna, Robert, Anne, David, Jeanette, Anne, Frances, Claire.

Frank grew up in Toronto and lost his father at the age of 9. He had a paper route with about 500 customers to help out his mother. He and Harry sometimes rode their bicycles 130 miles to Bath to help out on Uncle Harold’s farm. He finished high school at Northern Vocational School, graduated from Toronto Bible College in 1947 and the University of Western Ontario. He began preaching in his teens, including a summer in Quebec, and also worked at a brokerage, for the highway department planting trees, and in a forest fire watchtower. He hitched a voyage to Scotland where he completed theology studies at New College, preached in the Scottish highlands and in Glasgow, and rebuilt Iona Abbey which began his life-long connection to that community.

He met Elizabeth while he was a student minister at St Christopher’s kirk where her family attended and she sang in the choir. They married on July 31, 1956 in Edinburgh. The couple settled at Frank’s first charge with the United Church of Canada in Apsley in rural Ontario then moved to Oshawa. They drove their young family to the coast in 1966 where Frank was the minister at Willingdon Heights United Church until he retired in 1987.

Frank encouraged us to “fight the good fight.” His love of life was rooted in his Christian faith that embraced politics, nature and the arts as ways to build God’s kingdom of love, joy and peace. He welcomed people of all races and stations in church and partnered with Burrard Band Chief Dan George and the Burnaby Interfaith Fellowship. He served as a chaplain in Oakalla women’s prison and uplifted men in addiction treatment with Johnny Cash’s music. The Haven - the home in Maple Ridge - was dedicated as a sanctuary for wildlife (and family!) as an act of environmental stewardship. Frank enjoyed music, especially Elizabeth’s singing - in recent decades with the Vancouver Gaelic Choir, and cheered on his children’s and grandchildren’s sports and music. He loved long walks, jogs and swims across lakes. He was a great reference for local and Canadian history. His political work included supporting Filipino political prisoners, joining political parties, running for local office, founding the North West Capitol Hill Community Association with neighbours, and membership on the Burnaby Planning Committee. He and Elizabeth traveled extensively with Frank beautifully recording faces, flowers, and vistas in photographs from S Africa, to Dene Nation, to Greenland. He read widely and grew roses: when the deer ate them, he planted dahlias. He pursued family history, camping, bear watching, ice cream, and family togetherness.

Frank’s calm presence, quiet acts of service, generosity, laughter, name recall, gentle humour, goodness, and wisdom will be deeply missed.

“I have set before you life and death; therefore choose life.”

A viewing for family was held on January 19 at Burnaby Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life will be held when restrictions are lifted. Contact Helen: 604-291-0088 [email protected].