Frank Janes Cullis

Frank is survived by Janet his wife of 53 years; children Trisha (Bruce), Ian (Claire), Jessica (Todd), grandchildren Sophie, Gareth, Ewan, Hazel and Taylor and his brother Richard (Lorraine), brother-in-law Lorne (Lorna) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Frank Cullis was born in London, England on May 12th, 1942 and immigrated to Canada on the TS/S Atlantic in 1954. In 1957, Frank’s next door neighbour Bud Kellett heard him playing his drum and asked him to join his Kerrisdale Boys Band. After that, Frank played for over 20 years with the HMCS Discovery Band and for many years with the Royal Westminster Regimental Band until his Parkinson disease made drumming impossible. He was thrilled that Trisha was able to march with the Westies too. Frank also played percussion with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and played gigs with many local musicians. Along the way, he made many lifelong friends. His love of music encouraged him to go to UBC in Music and then to transfer to Education with a major in music. He taught elementary school grades 5, 6 and 7 and later itinerant band in Richmond (Dixon, Steves, Thompson, Rideau, Garden City, Currie and Debeck) from 1963 to 1998. He also entertained children at Breakfast with Santa at South Arm Community Hall and participated in other community events.

Nearing his retirement, he was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. That didn’t stop he and Janet from enjoying trips and visiting cousins and friends in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, the USA, Britain, France, New Zealand and making new friends along the way. Canada, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Norway, Sweden and many other countries were explored on their trips and cruises around South America, across the Pacific from Australia and New Zealand, across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, through the Mediterranean and through the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Frank was a very talented craftsperson. He went on from building models to building his own sabot dinghy and then later a 22 foot Carius sailboat (Song Brother) which he initially cruised in with his brother Richard and friend David. He taught Janet how to sail and later shared his love of the water with his children sailing “Song Brother” until 1986 when they purchased “Love Knot” a 27 foot Ericson enjoying may adventures and excursions sailing through the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. With boating friends, they also shared a condo and happy times skiing and vacationing in Whistler. Frank enjoyed his camping/canoeing trips with Al in the Bowron Lakes, the Sayward Forest and The Powell Forest Canoe Route. The family enjoyed tenting trips with him to many campsites in BC and especially to join friends in Osoyoos.

Frank’s crafts involved building model boats, remote controlled sailboats, doll houses, bird houses and train layouts. When Frank retired, he became a very accomplished wood turner, he extended his N scale train layout and built a garden layout in the back yard. Through his involvement with the TraiNgang, the Greater Vancouver Garden Railway Club and the British Columbia Society of Model Engineers, he extended his model railroad skills and made many friends. With the encouragement of TraiNgang members such as Tom, Jake and Dan, Frank was able to run trains even when he became wheelchair bound .

Frank and Janet loved watching their kids in their activities and sports, seeing them become successful adults and enjoying families of their own. Trisha and Bruce with their fur pets (cats & dogs), Ian and Claire with their 3 beautiful children Sophie, Gareth and Ewan and Jessica and Todd with their 2 exuberant joyful loving girls Hazel and Taylor were cherished. Toby (Kathy son Stuart) and brother Richard (Lorraine daughters Amy, Jessie, and Jayda) were like sons to Frank. A lasting bond was formed with Toby and Erik who joined the family on camping trips to Salt Spring, boating holidays and trips to Whistler. Boxing Day for over 47 years (until Covid) was a time for family and friends to gather especially the American cousins Erik and Tania sons Nik, Brian and Jake, and the Canadians, Lorne & Lorna, Christi and Ruben daughters Maggie and Lilith, Craig and Cristina sons Dylan and Rhys. Sharing vacations, holidaying at their “Wooden Tent” on Salt Spring Island, dinners, activities, celebrations, and just visiting were a constant theme in the Cullis’ life and great source of joy and laughter.