Frank Hovi

November 22, 1949 – December 25, 2017

In the early, quiet Monday hours of Christmas Day with the sky breaking pink and the temperature hovering at -32° our friend Frank Hovi took his last breath. We should be comforted in knowing that it happened about as close to how he would have wished it as possible. John Prine was singing a sad song about a long Monday in the background, he was alone with his best girl and she was holding his hand, the lake in its frozen glory was framed through the window in front of his bed and he was

without pain. He knew his boys were close at hand and he knew he was loved. I hope he also knew how much we’re going to miss him.

What will we miss about Frank? We’ll miss his quick wit, his generous nature, his deep regard for his fellow humans fighting the good fight. We’ll miss his mischievous eyes, his giggle and his endless search for the perfect pun. We’ll miss his empathy, his tender heart, his optimism in the face of insurmountable odds and we will miss his toughness. We will miss the fight in him.

Frank was proud of his Finnish heritage and the Finns have a word for the toughness he possessed.

They call it ‘Sisu’. It’s not a pretty, “glistening muscles” kind of tough but rather a grim, gritty, white knuckle courage. The kind of courage you need when the fight is going to be ugly – against the odds.

He was never afraid of a fight he deemed worthy. Frank embodied Sisu and he drew upon it many times over the course of his life to protect the things he loved.

What did Frank love? He loved hockey; he particularly loved the Montreal Canadians and Yvan Cournoyer. He loved music – Jimmy Buffet, Gordon Lightfoot, John Prine. He loved a good book, he loved a campfire and a starry night. He loved a cold beer on a hot day. He loved a fair deal and equity

and a God given right to quality education. He loved talent and he promoted it wherever he had the opportunity. He loved a good laugh. He loved young people.

He especially loved a boy named Andrew and a boy named Martin and he loved the men they had become. They were his pride and joy and he took great comfort in knowing they would be there for their mom, for Susan, because oh boy...he loved Susan.

She was his rock, the place he came home to. She was the hand always waiting to reach for him. She was the quiet place in the storm; she was the person filling the cup when it seemed half empty. She was the companion with the easy laugh off on their next adventure. She was the partner he adored.

Frank was predeceased by his mother Kirsti, his father Reino and his father-in-law John. We hope they were waiting for him with a rum and coke and a couple of new puns.

He is survived by so many people who loved him; his wife Susan and their sons Andrew and Martin, his brothers Al (Lorraine) and Bill (Judy), sister Cathy (Ken), his nephews Jonathan (Erin), Matthew,Michael, Kevin (Angela) nieces Jane (Dale), Jennifer (Shaun) and great nephews Blake, Austin, Jordan and Josh.

He is also survived by Susan’s family, his mother in law Mary, his sisters-in-law Cathy (John), Sheila, Kim (Jim), nieces Kelly, Colleen (Troy), Sarah; nephews James (Meaghan), Wally (Jamie), Jesse (Meaghan), Gary, and Trevor (Jennifer); great nephews Riley and Colton and great niece Emma.

Frank is also survived by a wealth of friends and by so many colleagues and students whose lives were made better for his concerns and skills. If you are part of this very large group, there will be a celebration of Frank’s life on Saturday January 6th at the Kenora Legion, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The family would like to give special thanks to Drs. Beveridge, Kroeker, Wehner, Haggerty, Faghih, Prowse, Weibe, and Coke. Also to Hazel Vanasse, the chemotherapy team, and all the nurses involved in Frank’s care.

Frank and Susan loved the political satirist George Carlin and their boys were raised on the wisdom and wit to be found in his skewering monologues. Much of what Carlin observed was presented with a furious socio/political eye but he wrote an eloquent and tender observation on life and love shortly after the death of his wife. This segment feels like it could have been written by Frank:

“Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don’t send this to at least 8 people...Who cares?”

-George Carlin

Donations can be made in memory of Frank Hovi to the Beaver Brae Secondary School Scholarship and Bursary Fund (1400 9th St. N. Kenora ON P9N 2T7) where a nursing endowment will be established in his name in recognition of the great nursing care he received throughout his illness.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.