June 15, 1937 - August 20, 2022
In Memoriam ~ Native Son of Lake Country.
An ordinary man who did things extraordinarily well, a man defined by a strong work ethic, thirst for learning, integrity, undaunted courage, and unconditional love of family.
Frank was the second of four children born to Fred and Edith Colton. He spent the first month of his life in the Kelowna hospital with his mother due to birth complications. The nurses nicknamed him "Buster".
Frank spent his childhood and adolescent years at his family home on Woodsdale Road, adjacent to the now Reiswig Regional Park, rambling the hills and valley with childhood friends of the Reiswig and Wageman clans and friends Ed and Don Heimstra, Laurie Scarrow, Les Pow, and Jack Tahara, and occasionally babysitting the Redekopp boys.
Frank attended Winfield Elementary, the SDA church school, and eventually Rutland High School. He was always the center of the fun, entertaining his friends and classmates with his comical antics and quick wit.
In his teen years, Frank took on many different jobs, showing a willingness to work hard and learn new skills, which led to his becoming an operator for the CPR.
During the early CPR years, Frank reconnected with his childhood friend, Teddy Wageman. They married in 1960. With two small children, daughter Leslie (1961) and son Jeffrey (1962), Frank and Teddy created a cozy home in the Rockies as Frank continued to upgrade his skills with the CPR. However, as the children reached school age, the decision was made to move to Edmonton, where Frank trained as a City of Edmonton police officer and Teddy operated a small home-based daycare.
Despite dealing with a lifelong, painful chronic health issue, Frank excelled in his police career, reaching the level of Staff Sergeant and accumulating many recognitions for his stellar service. He had qualified for the position of Inspector when he made the very difficult decision to retire because of increasing health challenges.
But true to his fierce determination, Frank was not idle in his retirement. He poured his intellectual energies into a long-time avocation—financial planning and investments—with impressive outcomes.
Frank and Teddy also collaborated in renovating their retirement home in Sherwood Park, Alberta, pooling their attention to detail, trades skills, and decorating talents to create a beautifully decorated, cozy, welcoming family sanctuary.
Frank's other achievements were appointment as a Justice of the Peace for Alberta, winning the much-coveted cross-pistol badge twice, and restoring and detailing vintage sports cars.
Frank was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Edith Colton; brother Bill; maternal grandmother Bullis; and father and mother-in-law, Gus and Helyne Wageman.
Frank is lovingly remembered by Teddy, his devoted wife of 62 years. Teddy now cherishes the memories of this long, successful marriage and sees Frank's legacy carried on through his beloved daughter, Leslie "Annie", son-in-law, Hadi, and grandson, Joseph Daniel, all of Brighton, Ontario, and stalwart son, Jeffrey, of Edmonton, Alberta.
Frank is remembered with a smile and a chuckle by brothers-in-law Richard Wageman (Donna) and Robert Wageman (Nancy Ann), sister-in-law Sharon Gardner (Wayne), friend Sherry Wageman (Byrun Bilton), sisters Eva and Judy, 9 nieces and nephews, and 7 great nieces and nephews.
Frank was laid to rest in Glenwood Cemetery, Sherwood Park, Alberta, along with the ashes of Lewey, his faithful pet cat and companion to the end.
Frank lived well, laughed often, loved much, and gained the respect of family, friends, the community, and work colleagues.
He gave the best of himself in all that he did.
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