FREDERICK JAMES RANKIN

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FREDERICK JAMES RANKIN Peacefully, with his loving wife at his side, on May 13, 2003 at the Betel Home, Gimli, Frederick Rankin aged 78 years of Gimli, MB. Frederick will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Margaret; son Chris (Judy) grandchildren Tina Marie (Stephen) great-grandchildren, Tessa, Kole and Gavin and grandson Sean. Sisters, Edith Nixon and family of Duncan, BC and Kitty (Dave) Peck and family of Ontario. Also remembering Fred is his sister-in-law Mary (Ted) Hughes, brother-in-law Pat (Sheila) Rust and many nieces and nephews, all in England. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick Sr. and Lillian Rankin, as well as Grandma Taylor. Fred was born on January 7, 1925 in Toronto and was raised in the rugged bush country near Kirkland Lake of Northern Ontario. He was the second of three children born to Frederick Sr. and Lillian Rankin. He left home at an early age to defend his belief in world freedom. He was trained in the RCAF as a (WAG) Pilot Officier, out of Gloucester, England in 1944-45. This is where he met and married Margaret, who travelled to Toronto in March 1946 to join him. On returning to Canada in 1945, Fred and his buddies were to train to go to the Japanese War and when it suddenly ended in the autumn of 1945, Fred now a civilian tried several occupations before deciding to rejoin the armed forces. Fred served within Canada and Europe for 20 years before retiring as a Sgt. in 1971. It is in Gimli that Fred retired and lived a life of community activity for 37 years. His list of accomplishments throughout his life time included, Cub and Scout master in Europe, Canada, Quebec and Manitoba. Scout commissioner for Manitoba Interlake district and manager of the Gimli Leadership Training Centre for 7 years (now New Horizons). He was a founding member and recognized past President of the Gimli and District Kiwanis Club. Fred was a Technical Writer for Standard Aero in Winnipeg (military). He was also a certified St. Johns Ambulance Instructor for the Gimli Interlake area, where he participated in many of the local and provincial sporting events. He was also a founding member of the Local Stefanfauster Air Cadets and acted as liaison between them and the Gimli Legion of which he was a member of 32 years. Fred would volunteer any of his many skills to any organizations which requested his assistance. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. in the Royal Canadian Legion, Gimli with Deacon Ray Sutton officiating. Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the above mentioned service clubs. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2003