FRANK (CECIL FRANK) RICHARDSON

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FRANK (CECIL FRANK) RICHARDSON

Our Dad was a force to be reckoned with. He was a perfectionist and held himself and his family to high standards. Dad was a role model and worked hard to provide for his family. Dad was revered by his siblings - they loved him beyond measure. Dad was a handyman, builder and operator of model trains, prankster, meat and potatoes man, valued colleague at Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), non-fiction reader, obsessed golfer, fascinated by magic tricks, coin collector, chess enthusiast, expert yo-yo operator, fan of Johnny Carson, Charlie Brown, the Minnesota Vikings and the Winnipeg Jets. He absolutely loved new socks and shoes. Dad was larger than life to his three birds (as he called us girls) and a dedicated, passionate partner to Mom.
Dad was born in Fort William, Ontario on January 11, 1932 to Hazel Irene (nee Smith) and Cecil John Richardson. His brother Rick (Bobby) was born three years later and his sister Barbara, (Bessie) came along two years after that. Dad passed away peacefully on December 31, 2022, with his grandson, Adam Frank Corley, at his side at River Park Gardens in Winnipeg.
Dad and Mom (Bobbie) were high school sweethearts and eloped on September 1, 1951 and honeymooned in Duluth, MN. They had three daughters, Karen Rae in 1953, Terryl Dawn in 1954 and Lynda Frances in 1967. Dad and Mom moved to Winnipeg in 1954 and settled in Fort Garry. Dad started his career as a constable with the CPR Police in 1954 and retired in 1988 having received multiple awards for his investigative acumen. Dad was proud to have collaborated on a number of successful cases with the RCMP, U.S. authorities and on the security details for Royal visits and the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Although Dad said his favourite job was being a paper boy in his youth, he flourished as a plain clothes investigator with the CPR.
Dad played Junior A hockey in Fort William for the Hurricanes and was instrumental in their run to the Western Canadian Junior final in 1952. Known as 'Rocket', he was subsequently scouted by Jack Adams and attended a Detroit Red Wings training camp with legends Gordie Howe, Sid Abel, Ted Lindsay and Terry Sawchuk. A signed mini-stick from the team is a family treasure. But his future father-in-law said no daughter of his was going to marry a hockey player - and that was that. The Hurricanes honoured Dad on his 90th birthday with a hockey jersey bearing his name and number 17.
He was, hands down, the life of the party wherever he went! Dad loved making people laugh and his grandchildren especially loved his silly sense of humour. Dad learned to play golf from his dad as a child and joined the Charleswood Golf Club in the early 1960s. Dad spent many a pleasant day on the links honing his golf swing and making lifelong friends. Dad even made a hole in one - a very momentous day! He also survived being hit by lightening - twice! - while golfing. No doubt he delayed getting off the course as he was having a stellar round. Dad took his clubs to many far-flung courses and he loved them all, including, and most memorably, the home of golf - St. Andrews, Scotland. He golfed three times a week until he was 88 and practiced at the golf dome every winter right up until it was closed due to Covid. Dad curled many winters and really enjoyed the social aspect of team sports. Dad passed on his interest in trains to us - not so much golf or curling. Being dragged to the golf course driving range as kids to shag endless balls might have something to do with it.
Dad leaves behind his three birds, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, his sister Barbara Joan Priest and his brother Robert Lorne. Dad was predeceased by the love of his life, Bobbie in May 2022, his wife of 70 years and one great-grandson in 2011.
We would like to acknowledge the unfailing help and support over the years of Cindy Hogue, a childhood friend of Terry's, for her care of both Mom and Dad like a fourth daughter. Also, the only family in Winnipeg, a dear grandson, Adam, who has been our eyes and ears, running errands, faithfully visiting and winding Dad's prized railroad clock at every visit. Also, we thank the staff at River Park Gardens where Mom SO luckily landed in September of 2020, and all the efforts made to have Dad join her there in spring 2021 ... we appreciate all of you.
A Celebration of Life will take place on April 29, 2023 at Thompson "In the Park" at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in Frank's memory, or just a small toast the next time you have a rye and Coke or play a great round!

So happy you and Mom are together, Dad. Every time we hear a train whistle, we'll think of you.
Ever, your three birds.
THOMSON "IN THE PARK"
204-925-1120
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2023