Joseph Roger LeFrank

Our beloved Father, Joseph Roger LeFrank has completed his long and fulfilling journey on Earth and travelled on to meet God and be reunited with the love of his life, our mother Jeanne. Born November 28, 1927, in East Ship Harbour, he was the second of five sons born to George and Jean (Power) LeFrank. He lived there until he moved to Halifax to complete high school and his post secondary education.

He graduated with a B.A. from Saint Mary’s and attended Teacher’s College. He taught school in Timberlea where he met Jeanne Awalt who caught his eye and captured his heart. They married on August 1, 1953 and moved to Calgary to begin a life together that would span more than sixty-five years.

After they welcomed their first two daughters, Dad joined the RCAF and they moved to various places in Canada, where they had three more children before moving to France, then Germany, with the final posting being at Cornwallis NS. Upon his retirement from the Armed Forces, they moved to Yarmouth where he secured employment with the federal government and after his retirement Mom and Dad moved back to Timberlea where their lives together had begun.

Dad had three great loves – God, his wife Jeanne and his family. Faith was at the root of their marriage and the raising of their children. Dad was very active in the church. He was President of the Parish Council, and together with Mom they worked on Marriage Preparation courses, Marriage Encounter, Alpha, and Cursillo. In his later years, he led numerous bible study groups and was a great source of liturgical information. Dad loved proclaiming the Word and was always willing to step up when called upon.

Dad was a loving father to his children and as a family we had many adventures in camping throughout Canada and Europe. Dad had a love of running which he discovered in his forties when he began coaching his own children in track and cross country. He volunteered as a coach to the Cornwallis Roadrunners Club for a number of years. Once his coaching years were over he turned his attention to running a marathon and over the course of almost 20 years ran close to 30 marathons in various countries.

Dad loved poetry, whether it was reading, writing or reciting. Many special occasions were marked with a personal verse written by Dad and he was well known for his Christmas poems that he loved to share with those he knew and even those he didn’t know.

In retirement, Mom and Dad indulged in their love of travel, spending winters in Myrtle Beach, Savannah, various places in Florida as well as Portugal, Spain, New Zealand and Australia.

Dad was very fortunate to enjoy a life of excellent mental and physical health. He and Mom moved to Shannex Parkland in 2013 where he was an active participant in the Poetry Club and participated in the weekly liturgy doing the readings and offering a reflection.

In October 2024, Dad required an amputation and was confined to a wheelchair and eventually moved to Camp Hill where he received excellent care. This transition was not easy for a man who had been so active and independent but he faced it with courage and trust in God. He was a role model to his entire family.

On November 6th Dad slipped slowly and peacefully away under the watchful eyes of his loving and beloved family who provided him with as much love and comfort as possible.

Dad is survived by his daughters Mary Anne (Ted Scovil), Susan (Jerry) DeLong, Bonnie (Mark Young), his sons Christopher and Andrew (Joanne), his brother Gordon Francis, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Jeanne and his brothers, John, Paul, and George.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 13th from 5 pm to 7 pm at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 14th at 12:15 pm at St. Benedict Parish, 45 Radcliffe Drive, Halifax with Father Simon Lobo presiding. The Funeral Mass will be made available to all friends and family unable to attend through online streaming. Following cremation, interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Halifax.

By request, family flowers only. Donations in Dad’s memory may be made to Chalice Canada, Bedford NS, or Saint Benedict’s Parish Outreach Program.