Born August 30, 1937 - Deceased September 26, 2023
Franck was born in pre-war France and would spend his formative years in Vendee along the west coast of France. As a youngster, the onset of World War II tore his family apart and he lived his youth with his mother (Celina Deborde) and his oh- so beloved grandmother (Grand-mere Genevieve). A stint at boarding school, as he grew older, was followed by mandatory service in the French army where he served as a flight mechanic on behalf of his country during the Algerian War of Independence.
Following his military service he had the great fortune of returning to his old French stomping grounds just in time to meet a most beautiful Canadian girl, making her way across Europe by bicycle. Franck - by all accounts - fell in love immediately with Dorothy Kathleen Harmer, so-much-so he chased her all the way home to the flatlands of the Manitoba prairie in 1959 and married her soon after. The happy couple honeymooned at Falcon Lake, a place that would ultimately frame most of their lives together.
Franck and Dorothy had four children in quick succession. From 1961 to 1965 neither of them had much rest...and probably a few years beyond that! Franck did his level best to provide for his family not only financially but experientially as well! While Franck climbed the corporate ladder at Investors Group (and later at Great West Life), he also taught French in the afterhours to help make ends meet. Later he began to explore a number of outdoors activities that no doubt brought him comfort in his own pursuits but in the pursuits of his family as well.
In the late1960's Franck took up gliding and obtained his pilot's license. His young family joined him in enjoying everything there was to offer at the Rat River Gliderport near Niverville, Manitoba (who could forget the Tiger Moth by-plane they used to tow gliders up with...the kids surely thought Snoopy was in charge and the Red Baron lurking nearby!). The gliding era of Franck's life was highlighted in 1970 at the Canadian Soaring Championships, in Carmen, Manitoba, where Franck and his wife had the incredible pleasure of escorting Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne throughout the events.
Gliding was an easy target for Franck while his children were young. His wife Dorothy easily covered for him and permitted his dalliance with the thermals. Ever the pragmatist, Franck realized that his next sporting pursuit must be one his whole family could enjoy together. From January 1971 to April 1971 it was all about darts...terrible mistake, failed miserably. No one could toss a triple 20 for love nor money and three of his children had nearly blinded each other while scuffling over who would use the blue darts. Why they didn't like red darts is anyone's guess.
After the dart mishap Franck quickly changed gears and by summer of 1971 or '72 his family were the proud owners of an Enterprise sailboat, happily named by the kids as the "Cookie Monster"....and thus began a lifelong love affair with Falcon Lake and the Falcon Lake Yacht Club. The sailing era of Franck's life was, with little doubt, the happiest times of his life. It was during the 1970's and 1980's where both Franck and his wife Dorothy hit their mark! While their kids were excelling in their own ways, Franck and his beloved Dorothy were perhaps the best team they'd ever been as skipper & crew on the good ship "Friendship"-Fireball # 1817.Their proficiency as a team was highlighted by an extremely good showing at the 1978 Canadian Fireball Nationals at Gimli, Manitoba. Fireball sailors, in that era, were the "NASCAR" racers of sailing and between Franck, his wife and their peers, there just wasn't much separation. What a thrilling time.
Being so in love with Falcon Lake, what with having honeymooned there, sailing with his wife there, well Franck figured he ought to have a place there. Good fortune and good timing saw Franck and Dorothy discover their nirvanna at Block 1, Lot 14 - Twin Pines - Falcon Lake. From 1974 to 1996 Franck and Dorothy enjoyed cottage life. In 1996 they stepped it up and in retirement made Twin Pines their HOME! They loved everything about living at the lake and surprisingly they loved the winter parts most. The two of them enjoyed all aspects of lake life and all four seasons of it...they had a happy retirement up until Dorothy's passing in 2016. Franck soldiered on, living independently at Falcon Lake until just a few weeks before his death...but it was never quite the same without his beloved wife.
Franck may have been born French but he very quickly became Canadian to the core. His street hockey antics, with his kids and their friends, in front of the family home on Lanark Street, throughout the 70's and into the 80's are the stuff of legend! (What a hacker!). And anyone who knows Franck knows they've met someone who adores the Canadian Hinterland and embraced it all. He was an avid bird watcher and kept meticulous records on all the visitors to his feeders; he enjoyed a healthy period as a passionate fisherman whether jigging for pickerel on Falcon, trolling for trout on Camp Lake or flying up north with his mates for monstrous pike or even arctic char; canoe expeditions through Quetico Park with fellow enthusiasts; cutting, splitting and stacking his own firewood for years before relenting and buying pre-cut firewood; cross country skiing with his wife on the miles of trails out their backdoor and on and on and on...Although Franck enjoyed returning to France periodically to visit family and reminisce, it is without doubt that his home and heart were rooted in Canada, Manitoba, Falcon Lake.
Franck passed away on September 26, 2023. He was not alone, his daughter bade him good journey and he winked at her as he drifted off in search of his beloved Dorothy; his brother Max; his father Roger; his dearest son Stephen; and without a doubt he will be scouring the heavens to reconnect with Art, Paul, Ted, Garnet and others to play cards, fish for trout and just relax after along, hard, rewarding life. Franck is survived by his eldest son Franck Jr.; third born son Marc; and his daughter Colette. He leaves behind 7 grandchildren; Lindsay (Matt), Bryce (Danielle), Remy (Marion), Michel, Hannah, Jack & Rachel. Were he able he'd have bid farewell to his brothers 5 daughters, his nieces, whom he had stayed in touch with.
Franck will join Dorothy and remain at Falcon Lake, cozily tucked away at The Red Pines Cemetery. There will be no service beyond a small family gathering.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Pellerin family.
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