Francis HUDD

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HUDD: 1929-2015. Francis Edward Hudd, age 85 and resident of Dauphin, passed away on Tuesday June 9, 2015 at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre. Frank was born on October 24, 1929 in Brandon, Manitoba to parents Harold and Ida Hudd. Frank was schooled in Brandon at St. Augustine and Brandon Collegiate, and at the age of 17, began his adult working career at CKX as a Radio Engineer’s assistant, paving the way into a 37 1/2 year career with Manitoba Telephone Systems and their new microwave network. On June 6, 1959, Frank married Barbara Helen Webster of Rapid City, Manitoba. During their first five years of marriage , they resided in three different communities, and had one child in each. Duane in Brandon (1960), Brian in Winnipeg (1962) and Shannan in Dauphin (1965), after which they decided to stop moving because it was causing children. Frank was a dedicated MTS employee through on to retirement, an avid member of Dauphin’s coffee crowd, and a passionate member of both the Knights of Columbus and the local chapter (Keystone Chorus) of SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America). He was equally dedicated to visiting his extended family of cousins, aunts, and uncles who resided in Brandon or gathered at Clear Lake – this was very important to him. Not one to leave “Dauphin Unattended” very often, he did a vacation each year when the kids were young, typically two weeks during the heat of August in a non-air-conditioned car to test the melting point of the family. Frank rarely paused, other than to eat and sleep; no task was too daunting, and nothing was so broken that it could not be fixed. An example of the latter (and a Dauphin institution) was his notoriously baby blue, 1967 Dodge panel van. The van had already lived a full, productive life as a Lennox Furnace service vehicle by the time Frank acquired it in 1977, sanded off the company lettering, and had it sprayed a fresh coat of baby-blue. The van would haunt Dauphin streets (ever so slowly) for another 30 years before finally retiring when Parkinson’s prevented Frank from clutching through the gears. Frank was always a strong supporter of community and family, and proud of what he, the groups he belonged to, and his family could accomplish. Like many others in town, he was a cog in the machinery that keeps the village moving, as well as the other half of the division of labour that raised a family, to raise their own families, which are now themselves raising families. He was involved with, and was a contributor to the circle of life. Frank leaves behind, to cherish many special memories, his three children: Shannan (Randy), Brian (Carolyn) and Duane (Nina), four grandchildren: Carissa, Amanda, Lindsey, and Taylor as well as four great grandchildren: Aly, Blake, Chloe, and Hailey. Frank was predeceased by his parents and by his loving wife Barbara. A celebration of Franks life was held on Saturday , June 20th at 11:00 a.m. from the St. Viator’s Roman Catholic Church in Dauphin, Manitoba. With interment following in Dauphin’s Riverside Cemetery. The family would like to extend many thanks to the many people who helped Frank live life over the years, including the Parkland Regional Health Authority, specifically the very helpful staff at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, the Home Care Program, and at the Dauphin Personal Care home. Should friends so desire, in accordance with Franks wishes, memorial donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Dauphin and District Community Foundation – Humane Society Fund. Sneath Strilchuk Funeral Services was in care of the arrangements. www.sneathstrilchuk.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 27, 2015