The world knew him as Frank White but within our family he was known as Munga, a name given to him by his grandson Silas before he was able to get his tongue around “Grampa.” Munga had six grandchildren and he meant everything to us and so many others in our family. He died Oct. 18, aged 101. His virtues far outweighed his vices, which included stubborness, thick-cut bacon and Kokanee beer in moderation (preferably in a can).
Born at the start of WWI, he squeaked through the Great Depression as a freight hauler and log-truck driver. In those jobs, excessive brake wear was considered a fireable offence, so he learned how to drive without them and, much later, would pass on the lesson to his grandkids during wild, laugh-filled drives along the twisty Sunshine Coast highway. His driving lessons alone have been the indirect cause of more than one complaint to the local Mounties. Graduates of the Munga School of Driving can still feel his disappointment every time they lean on the brakes. We had so much fun together.
He had other jobs, many others: excavating contractor, car mechanic, logging camp owner, waterworks operator, even author of best selling books. But, most importantly, he was a father of four, and then a grand-father of six, and then a great-grandfather of eight. He informally adopted many others. His home, and later the one he shared with Edith Iglauer, whom he married in 2006, were always magnets for colourful locals, young and old, who wanted to drop by for some gut-grinding coffee and hash out world events.
We have him to thank for us. And today, we are missing him terribly.
We just had a wonderful celebration of his life for his 100th birthday when he was around to enjoy it and are not planning anything large and public at this time, but keep posted. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Pender Harbour and District Health Centre Clinic, which Frank White had a proud part in creating. Our heartfelt thanks to Nancy, Sigrid, Mina, Digna, Kendra, Cathy, Jen, Heather and all the magnificent Pender palliative home care team.