It is with great sadness that the family of Alf Frankie announces his passing on September 16, 2020 at the age of 84.
Alf was born July 15, 1936 in Leipzig, Saskatchewan, the youngest of 12 children. He is survived by his children: Karen (Gary) Wingerak, Glen (Sharon) Frankie and Donna Chmilar; his grandchildren: Kelsey (Travis) Campbell, Lindsey (Mike) Miller, Kyle VandenBorn, Sarah VandenBorn, Tristan Frankie and Austin Frankie, Brendon (Tiffany) Chmilar, Tyler (Brenda) Chmilar and Chase Chmilar; a great grandson: Owen Campbell; and sister Marg Wirachowsky.
Alf started working for Jenkins Cartage Ltd driving truck in 1959. But, his dream was to own his own land and to run a dairy farm. In 1962, dad and mom purchased their first farm: 10 acres on Rutland Road where they milked cows by hand and raised calves. In 1967, they upgraded to a 20 acre farm on Moyer Road where they increased their herd of Guernsey and Jersey cows, selling cream and raising calves. During this time Alf continued to work full-time at Jenkins Cartage, milking the cows before and after work. In 1973, they bought a 60 acre farm on old Vernon Road where they set up their dairy farm. Dad gradually changed over to Holsteins, building the herd up to 45 cows and shipping the milk to NOCA dairy in Armstrong. In 1974, once the farm was established Dad left Jenkins Cartage to farm full-time. He got his dairy farm.
By the early 1990s the Frankie Dairy Farm was the last of its kind operating in Kelowna. Dairyland had to send a milk truck and the grain truck was coming from Grindrod for just one stop. Yet, the dairy operation persevered. That is until the establishment of Free Trade with the United States, and it was the unknown consequences to farmers and Canada’s quota system that convinced them to sell their cows and quota in 1993.
Dad’s idea of retirement was to turn around and buy a herd of beef cattle. When Dad turned 80, his family doctor wouldn’t sign the documentation for the renewal of his driver’s licence. He was very angry with his doctor, saying, “That man doesn’t understand that I need to pick up binder twine, parts for my machinery and medicine for the cows.” Alf took the driver’s road test and passed. He stayed on the farm and looked after his cattle.
He loved the land, his kids and his grandkids. To his grandchildren he was “Papa.” He always made time for rides in the tractor bucket, rescues in the hay barn and a game of cards. He was incredibly patient, but when they inevitably pushed his limits, our favourite Papa-ism was sure to come out, “I’ll take a shot gun, shove it up your…,”okay, maybe we can’t share that one.
Due to COVID-19, the immediate family will have a private celebration of life at Lakeview Memorial where he will be buried near his brother, Ray.
Dad, the cows are fed, tractor is in the shed, water trough is covered and the gates are closed. Chores are done, rest. No more worries.
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