Passed away Friday Oct 25, 2024, at the age of 99. Beloved husband of 60 years of Gladys Marie (nee Kielly), deceased in 2016. Loving father of Suzanne (Doug Southen), Gabrielle (Clarence Kort), Marianne (Richard Turcotte) and Jean-Francois (Jennifer Verret). Grandfather of John (Leslie), Eric (Samantha), Marc (Cece), Louis (Claire) and Patrick (Marielle). Great-grandfather of Lydia, Vivian and Genevieve.
Will be missed by brother Jacques (Micheline), sister-in-law Lise, and brother-in-law Bill (Alice), and many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by his parents, Gabrielle and Francois-Xavier, his step-mother Alice, and his siblings Raymond, Therese (Rene), Jean-Paul, Francoise and Claude.
Francois was a WWII Veteran, who served in 1944-45 as a Navigator in the RCAF Alouette Squadron (Bomber Command). He obtained his BSc. Geology from McGill University (Montreal, Que) after the war, but after one summer with the blackflies in northern Labrador, he decided to reenlist with the Canadian Airforce. He was posted to Brandon, Manitoba, to teach at the Navigation School (1951-1954). His next posting was as Recruiting Officer to St-Johns NFLD.
On his first day in St-Johns, he went on a double-blind date with fellow Recruiting Officer Ken Weaver and two local gals, whom they subsequently married in St-Johns, Francois to Gladys in 1956. As a military Officer, Francois lived and raised the family with Gladys in many places in Canada and Europe.
He volunteered as coach for many of Jean-Francois’s sports teams and as leader for Les Scouts du Canada. He was Treasurer for the local newspaper Vistas. He sat on the Board of Eglise Catholique de Ste-Genevieve in Ottawa, including chairing the Committee for Refugees and sponsored the Van family from Cambodia who remained lifelong friends with Francois. He regularly visited Veterans at the Ottawa Perley Long Term Care facility for over 30 years.
Francois loved life and was a lifelong learner. He loved to travel with Gladys and drove his family all around Europe, from Canada to Mexico, and all through North America, always camping. He and Gladys saw many corners of the world together, including from cruise ships in the final years. He was an avid reader, historian, birdwatcher, astronomer, story-teller, and most importantly, a very loving father, husband and family man.
He will be sorely missed on his 100th birthday next July 14th, 2025.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, ON) from 11-1pm followed by a Celebration of Life.
Digital Guestbook
Rosanne Garrison
Nada Semaan
JF and family I am so sorry for your loss. Just from knowing JF I know he raised an incredible family and left a wonderful legacy in all of you. Deepest Condolences to you and yours
Mario Gaudreau
Bonjour Jean-François, mes plus sincères condoléances pour le décès de ton Papa, je sais que c'est une période difficile à passer. Mes pensées t'accompagne pour cette période. Prends soin de toi ainsi que ta famille
Donna Achimov
JF and family, many of your colleagues and friends are sending you and your family our deepest condolences for the loss of your father. He lived a good life, surrounded by family and friends and was a great Canadian. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Donna Achimov
Donna Achimov
Dear JF and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It appears at 99 years of age that your father led a full, and happy life.
It is nonetheless hard to say good bye. Take comfort in your many fond memories. Sincerely, Donna Achimov
Rene Trudel
Mes sincères condoléances à toute la famille en ces moments difficile.
bedarda (Andre Bedard)
My sympathies et lors de la journée du souvenir j'aurai une pensée spéciale pour lui.
John Samuel
Indeed very sorry to hear of your loss of a very good neighbour on Lousiana Ave in Ottawa. We were lucky to see him on his 99th birthday you had arranged. Our deeply felt condescendence.
Christina Shumacher
Dear JF and family, I am very sorry to hear about your loss. It was so moving to read about the full life he led and how family oriented he was. Sending my condolences and thinking of you and your family.
Bill and Alice Kielly
So very sorry for the loss of Frank. He was such an important part of the family as well as history. His stories were always informative and interesting. We will remember him as the warm and generous person that he was. He will be missed. Love Bill and Alice
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences. With Love from Rosanne and Les