John Frank Kurina

Frank was born on the family farm in the Canadian Prairies near Jamieson (Cranford), Alberta, on October 22,1938, to Agnes and John Kurina. Raised in a farming family, he learned early the values of hard work, resourcefulness, and self-reliance—qualities that would remain with him throughout his life.

Frank was the loving father of Kathleen (John) and David (Lisa), and a proud grandfather to Michael, Madeleine, Matthew, and Alexander, all of whom will cherish their memories of him. He also leaves behind his longtime companion, Andree McFarlane, whose friendship and companionship brought him great happiness. He is predeceased by his parents and sisters Jarmilla and Rose and leaves behind sisters Alice and Frances and brother Henry.

At the age of 19, Frank left the family farm to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, embarking on a distinguished career dedicated to the safety and security of Canadians. Over more than four decades of service in locations across the country, he earned the respect of colleagues and the communities he served. His early career was spent in remote locations in the Canadian arctic where he patrolled by dog sled and built snowhouses for shelter. He retired in 1998 with the rank of Staff Sergeant, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism, integrity, and public service. He went on to become head of security at the Regal Constellation Hotel and spent 16 years working at the Federal Courts.

From an early age, Frank dreamed of becoming a pilot. Although his hopes of becoming a military fighter pilot never materialized—his mother famously refused to sign the necessary papers—he never lost his passion for aviation. He obtained his private pilot's licence at Foothills Aviation in Calgary and remained an enthusiastic student of aviation history and historic aircraft. Kathleen and David fondly remember attending air shows with their father and volunteering alongside him at the Hamilton Air Show during its peak years. These experiences created lasting memories and reflected Frank's lifelong curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

A true product of his prairie upbringing, Frank approached challenges with determination and ingenuity. Whether repairing a vehicle, tackling a home renovation, or figuring out how to solve an unexpected problem, he was rarely without a solution. He believed that learning new skills was just as important as completing the task at hand and took great satisfaction in passing that mindset on to his children and extended family. To those who knew him, Frank was something of a real-life MacGyver—capable, inventive, and always ready to help.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at Paul O'Connor Funeral Home, 1939 Lawrence Avenue East (between Pharmacy and Warden), on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

An interment ceremony will be held at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery (Beechwood) in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Friday July 31st, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Frank's memory to the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer.

Frank will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to family, his commitment to service, his love of aviation, and his ability to tackle any challenge with determination, creativity, and good humour.

He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew and loved him.