FRANCIS (FRANK) GEORGE DUKE

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FRANCIS (FRANK) GEORGE DUKE

1963 - 2023

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Francis “Frank” George Duke, in Edmonton after a short illness. Frank left this world in the same way he lived in it for 60 years – with dignity, generosity, and courage.



Frank was predeceased by his father, Edward, and mother, Mary.



He is survived by his son, Daniel Joseph “Tiger”; Tiger’s mother, Rose; and stepson, Andy of Vancouver; sister, Mary Jane of Winnipeg, and sister, Theresa Saunders (Ned) of Calgary.



Frank was born in Winnipeg and grew up in the heart of the working-class North End – he was proud to be from there. He graduated from St. Paul’s High School and then the University of Manitoba with a BA in Economics.



Along the way he was a leader on the field with the Winnipeg Hawkeyes Football Club and the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He built lifelong friendships in DKE and played a key role in the renovation and opening of the new fraternity house. He also amazed the entire city of Winnipeg in 1984 when he joined the frigid November Grey Cup celebrations as the Golden Boy, dressed only in gold paint and shorts. His friendships continued to grow with the DKE chapter in Edmonton when he moved to the Alberta capital in 1991.



After university, Frank helped build two incredibly successful insurance brokerages, helping clients across Alberta – Lowndes Lambert Canada and LL Renaissance. His colleagues all knew he was brilliant at what he did and had unmatched skills in sales, service, negotiations, and the ability to create unique solutions for any client. Both companies specialized in aspects of the automobile industry, fitting for someone who was always known for his cars – from the Ford Pinto of his university days, to the Porche 944 and Buick Riviera (aka The Riv) of his early work career, and the Maserati Quattroporte of later years. His final passion project was the restoration of his late father’s 1959 Buick.



Ever since university days, the one place you could always find Frank was on the golf course – whether it was the Kildonan Park Golf Course in Winnipeg, his home course of Royal Mayfair, or the many sets of links he’d visit on his travels. He’d never claim to be a great golfer, but would tell you he did “pretty, pretty, pretty good.”



Frank's life had a brand-new focus 14 years ago when his son, Tiger, was born. He was someone to teach about cars, golf, collectibles, and most of all share his life with. Tiger was his inspiration for everything he did over the past 14 years and their time together were the best days of Frank's life.



Frank spent close to 25 years in Edmonton followed by almost a decade in Vancouver before returning to Edmonton in 2018.



A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Connelly-McKinley Downtown Funeral Home, 10011-114 Street NW, with a Celebration of Life reception to immediately follow at the Hotel Macdonald. Frank will be laid to rest with his parents in Winnipeg, at All Saints Cemetery.



In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation in Frank’s memory are appreciated.



Frank had a huge, generous heart, and his greatest joy was hosting and taking care of people. He lived his life with style and authority – so much so that his friends often used the line about another Frank - Sinatra - when talking about him. “It’s Frank’s world, we just live in it.” We still do, though it’s a less wonderful place without him.

To send condolences or to

view the livestream, please visit

www.connelly-mckinley.com



Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home

Downtown Chapel

(780) 422-2222

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 05, 2023