1926-2017

Longtime Halfmoon Bay resident Frank Gleeson died peacefully on March 9 in Sechelt. He was 90.
Frank is survived by his son John, grandchildren Rose (Lyons), Mike and Shane, great-grandchildren Brooklynn, Sophie, Elly and Ruvin, and cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada and Ireland. He was predeceased by his father William and mother Alice (McCann), his brother Jack and sister Peggy (Maclean), and his eldest son Danny.
Frank was born at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver on August 29, 1926. He grew up in Kitsilano during the Depression and at an early age learned the butcher trade. He went to sea at 16, serving in the Merchant Marine during the Second World War. He joined the infantry at 18 and was ready to be shipped overseas when the war ended.
He recalled with irony marching in a victory parade in Calgary to wild cheers from an adoring public, though he and his comrades had never seen action.
Frank returned to the Merchant Marine after leaving the army, working on deep-sea freighters and travelling the world. His adventures were punctuated by periods ashore in Vancouver, where he worked as a meat cutter and twice tried his hand at married life. Though neither marriage lasted, he was devoted to the two sons he had with the late Joan Barkwell, originally of Winnipeg.
Frank was a faithful Roman Catholic and in later years was a significant supporter of Birthright, Operation Eyesight Universal, Red Cross disaster relief and other charities. He enjoyed his home, friends and neighbours in Welcome Woods, where he settled in 1983, cherished his time with his grandchildren and loved being close to nature. While proud of his Irish heritage, Frank regarded B.C. as the best place on Earth, often saying there was no need to travel anywhere else because B.C. had everything. Even after dementia set in, he often remarked how lucky we were to be living in Canada.
The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff of Shorncliffe Care Centre for the compassionate treatment Frank received during his final years.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 23 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5700 Nickerson Road, Sechelt, with a reception to follow. An evening prayer service will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m.