FRANK DANIEL MONCRIEFF O'CONNOR

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FRANK DANIEL MONCRIEFF O'CONNOR May 31, 1918 - July 30, 2005 Frank died peacefully in British Columbia at the Saanich Peninsula Palliative Care Unit on Saturday morning. His wife, brother Bernard and children, grandchildren and great-grandchild from British Columbia were on hand to say goodbye. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Peggy (nee Margaret Lyons); his four children, James (Ann), Frances (Glen Williams) and David (Mary) all of British Columbia and Peggy (Paul) James of New Brunswick; his six grandchildren, Derek (Kim) O'Connor, Brenda (Tracy) Dickerson, Emlyn (Angela) James, Lara O'Connor, Francis James and Julie (Darren) Smart and his great-granddaughter Trinity Dickerson. Frank was born and grew up in the Winnipeg, MB area. He graduated from Daniel McIntyre High School in 1937. After a short stint in the Army he returned to care for his mother when his father died in 1941. In 1942 he married Peggy Lyons. He was accepted for aircrew in the Airforce where he qualified as a Navigator. He served in England returning in 1944 to his job as a Trainman with the CPR. He remained with the CPR; as a Conductor, a Rules Supervisor and finally as the Superintendent of Rules and Safety at the head office in Montreal where he retired in 1978. When his schedule on the railroad allowed he was active with the YMCA and the Royal Life Saving Society as an Instructor and Examiner. On retirement he and Peggy moved to their chosen home that they built in North Saanich. He was an avid curler, and an enthusiastic square dancer and sailor and an active member of the Knights of Columbus until a heart operation in 1999 curtailed his activities. Cremation took place on Wednesday, August 3. Friends are invited to a funeral mass to celebrate his 87 years with us, followed by a reception and refreshments, to be held at St. Elizabeth Church on Third Street in Sidney at 11:00 a.m., Monday, 8 August. A memorial service in Winnipeg and interment at the family plot at St Mary's Cemetery will be arranged at a future date. In lieu of flowers Frank would have appreciated donations to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation (2166 Mt. Newton X Rd., Saanicton, BC V8M 2B2) or to the Knights of Columbus Council 9703 Charity Fund (in care of St. Elizabeth's, 10030 Third St., Sidney, BC V8L 3B3). Loved and respected by all his family and many friends, Frank will be deeply missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 05, 2005