Frank Edward Dumais

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Frank E. Dumais on June 9, 2022. Frank was born May 3, 1948 in Warroad, Minnesota to Donald “Chick” and Margaret “Peggy” (nee Ammerman) Dumais. He moved with his family in 1954 to Silver Bay, Minnesota – a taconite mining town on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Frank was a very good athlete and in 1965, he was chosen as the very first Captain of the Silver Bay Mariner Hockey Team. He was also named the All District Tournament Shortstop in the high school baseball playoffs of 1966. He then graduated from William Kelley High School later that same year.

After graduation, Frank entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Seminary to study for the Roman Catholic Priesthood. He spent 2 years at Lewis College in Lockport, Illinois and did his Novitiate in Godfrey, Illinois. Upon completion of his Novitiate, he made his first commitment to the Oblates, on August 15, 1970, on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. He then went on to Creighton University, in Omaha, to study Philosophy. He left the Seminary in 1971 and returned to Silver Bay to work for the Reserve Mining Co. When he returned to Silver Bay, he coached a Peewee traveling hockey team and a Bantam traveling hockey team.

In May of 1973, he immigrated to Canada. He met his future wife, Annette Comeau, in Winnipeg and they were married the following year in 1974. Frank worked in sales in the window and door business and also the publishing and newspaper business. Once again he coached Peewee hockey teams, this time in St. Boniface and in Ile Des Chenes for a total of five years. He played old timers hockey and dabbled in writing with his column called Puck Chatter. He was a lifelong Montreal Canadiens fan and his idol was defenseman J. C. Tremblay. In March of 1978, he was fortunate to meet Tremblay and he skated with J. C. and the Quebec Nordiques at a morning pre-game practice.

Frank was an avid sports fan, a political junkie and a world news enthusiast. Throughout the years, he remained devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary which was fostered by his maternal grandparents, his mother and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He prayed his rosary daily.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Annette, his brothers Donnie (Melinda), John (Teresa), and Bob, his sisters Denise (Bryan) Hansen, and Mary Mattila, his sister-in-law Jackie (Brian) Harrison, his brother-in-laws Rolly (Audrey), Phillip (Bonnie), Claude (Dayna) and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. He developed a special bond with twin nieces, Heather and Holly from their early childhood years, well into adulthood. He was also especially close to great nephew Dylan and great niece Elliana. He also leaves behind his dearest and closest friends Victor and Sheila Mamchuk and Jacques and Simone Comeau.

A special thank you to family and to everyone that helped us through Frank’s illness these last four months.

In accordance with Frank’s wishes, he has been cremated and ashes will be interned at Green Acres Cemetery.

Flowers gratefully declined. If willing, donations may be made in Frank’s memory to a charity of one’s choice or simply take a moment and listen to the beautiful Ave Maria.

A private graveside service is planned.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresfuneralhome.com for the Dumais family.