FRANK (FRANCIS) JOSEPH SKAPTASON WILSON

Condolences & Memories (12 entries)

• Firstly, I'd like to offer my condolences as Mr. Wilson was a huge part of my high school life and made me enjoy going to school. I just today learned of his passing (May 12 - 2025) :(. Mr. Wilson was my math, calculus, and computer science teacher at Vincent Massey Collegiate from 1994-1996. He made me enjoy it so much I took advanced calculus in university and went on to complete 3 years of computer science at the U of M. He took a liking to me and had me stay after class to do all his coding for him as he was a "hunter and pecker" and it took him hours to code. In exchange he would let me do whatever I wanted during class or even skip if I wanted and he wouldn't mark me as absent :). I was very sad to learn of his passing today, I never forgot him and spoke of him many times to my wife when referring to my high school days. I want his family to know he touched a lot of people and he made my high school days much more enjoyable. Rest in peace Mr. Wilson! Jason EisBrenner - Posted by: Jason EisBrenner (Student at Vincent Massey) on: May 12, 2025

• To the whole Wilson family, Along with my other condolences sent on the passing of your dear Frank, please accept them here as well. From cousin Jo I know very well what a wonderful husband, son, brother, uncle, and person Frank was and know how much he is missed. He was an example of the best people can be, an example to all of a man who lived a good life. Christmas eve "at the Wilson's" and many other times our families, especially our parents, shared, are always in my heart. On behalf of the Clemens cousins, deepest sympathy, Lenore - Posted by: Lenore S Clemens (cousin) on: Oct 20, 2023

• Mr. Wilson was, to me, the math teacher at my high school, Vincent Massey. He didn't speak French, which was my first exposure to being taught in English in my to-that-point entirely French Immersion school career. He was a very smart guy, and his enthusiasm was infectious. It's easy to see the more advanced parts of math as some kind of arcane thing -- technically possible to comprehend, but the domain of larger minds than yours -- but he would just dive right in and explain the how and the why, and he was good at it. When I made mistakes, bad choices, he called me a "turkey". He introduced me to calculus, which the standard curriculum doesn't touch. He connected me with the CCC -- the Canadian Computing Competition -- which led to the IOI -- the International Olympiad in Informatics -- in which I represented Canada on the 4-person team that went to Beijing in 2000. I suspect he played a part in my being offered an entrance scholarship to the University of Waterloo, his alma mater. These pivotal things in my life wouldn't have happened without him. He made a difference in my life, and I've always remembered him. - Posted by: Jonathan Gilbert (Student) on: Apr 02, 2023

• Dear Helle, My sincere condolences to you and your family at the passing of your husband Frank. May the love of your family and friends comfort your heart and offer you peace. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Laurel - Posted by: Laurel Anderson-McCallum (Friend) on: Mar 16, 2023

• Frank was a sensitive, bright, witty, colleague I had the pleasure of working with during the last few years of his outstanding teaching career. He will be truly missed by family, friends, colleagues, and former students. - Posted by: Doug Muir (Former colleague ) on: Mar 05, 2023

• Frank was one of a kind. He was an exceptional teacher and was my math department head at Vincent Massey Collegiate for over 20 years. He was always helpful with lesson planning and in dealing with students. When he left school at the end of the day he would often say, "Off to Dublin". I wish I had asked him why. - Posted by: Terry Imhoff (I taught with Frank at Vincent Massey Collegiate) on: Mar 03, 2023

• Dear Helle and Family, it is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Frankie. All the family have lost an amazing and caring person. The last few years have been difficult and now he can rest in peace. We send our deepest sympathy and love to all the family. Barbara and Robert Chase - Posted by: Barbara and Robert Chase (Cousin) on: Mar 02, 2023

• Dearest Helle, Auntie Jo and family, we share in the loss of your dear husband, beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Frankie as we knew him, was brilliant, kind, witty, strong in his integrity, loyal to his family and so proud of his beautiful wife and inspiring mother. He explored and treasured the families ancestry from Scotland on the Wilson side and the Skapteson side from Iceland. Frankie always brought his warm smile to play bridge at "893" where cousins Bobby, Barbara and youngsters gathered to learn from his father our dear Uncle Frank. Wishing you everlasting peace Frank. June Ann & Bill Cooper - Posted by: June Ann & Bill Cooper (Cousin) on: Feb 27, 2023

• Frank was my computer science VMC teacher in 1979. What a surprise when our paths crossed again in 2016 when ‘Mr Wilson’ was at the front of the class again, this time teaching bridge. I feel so fortunate to have gotten to know him, after all these years. Almost weekly, we played bridge or touched base. He was a wonderful gently soul, that will be dearly missed in our bridge community. His humour and engaging teaching style was precious, especially during COVID. RIP, Frank. - Posted by: Linda Baylis (nee Wheeler) (Friend/ student) on: Feb 25, 2023

• I was always "lifted up" whenever Frank came to the bank. He spoke so highly of you, Helle and I was always hoping to meet you. You definitely were the love of his life. I will miss seeing your smiling face even when it was obvious that you were in a lot of pain. I would have loved to be at his celebration on Sat. but I am volunteering in California at this time. He also was very interested where my husband and I went to volunteer every year. Rest in peace, my friend. My sincere condolences to you, Helle and extended family. - Posted by: Fritz Warkentin (One of my favorite customers at the Bank) on: Feb 25, 2023

• Mr Wilson was a memorable teacher. My most fond memory of him was when he had this illustration of an egg, that was our ego, and how to handle it gently. He gave help that way as needed, and the illustration stayed with me. Thank you Mr Wilson. Praying for his family and close friends - Posted by: Juanita (student) on: Feb 25, 2023

• Frank was one of a kind. His lighthearted humour at his bridge classes made us wonder if his background was in drama as well as mathematics. His witty bridge comments remain a constant guide in our bridge play. He is greatly missed. Our sincere condolences, Helle. - Posted by: Arlene & Gordon Cherepak (Friends ) on: Feb 25, 2023