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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
WALDEN, Frank Courtleigh - Frank Walden passed away quietly on October 4, 2023 predeceased in 2019 by his beloved wife Virginia. He leaves behind his son Chris (Karen), daughter Jane (Michael) and youngest son Doug (Marsha); grandchildren Jessica, Shanleigh, Johnathon, Ross and Claire and Laine, and great-grandson Bennett. He is survived by his younger siblings Chester, Joan and Mona, and was predeceased by his brother Don and parents Ken and Mary.
Frank's early days were in Peace River country, Alberta. He learned to hunt, played hockey on frozen rivers and lakes, and mastered the delicious art of making ice cream. His family eventually moved to Summerland and then Kamloops, where he met the love of his life, Virginia Dalgleish, at high school. Their romance spanned seventy years.
Frank joined the Royal Canadian Navy, but the war ended shortly after his naval training was completed in Halifax. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from UBC and had a great way with words, perhaps learned from his father, who was a schoolteacher for many years. In Vancouver, he entered the work force as a reporter and subsequently covered politics from Victoria, ultimately rising to become night editor of The Vancouver Sun. In the mid-seventies, Frank left the newspaper business and joined a public relations firm, eventually buying the company and forming Walden Public Relations Ltd. By retirement, he had worked with many of British Columbia's business and political leaders -- writing speeches for BC premiers and luminaries, helping the forestry industry polish its reputation, and expanding to become one of the pre-eminent PR firms in Canada. He served as President of the UBC Alumni Association and was the ghost-writer for a published novel.
Frank and Virginia had many dear, long-time friends and, together, they were excellent hosts and knew how to party! Frank enjoyed many Friday lunches with friends, clients and colleagues at the Sylvia Hotel. He had the driest sense of humour and was an old-school gentleman always. He relished a good cigar and a spicy joke.
Frank and Virginia traveled widely and had an appreciation for history and exploring the world, often with friends or family. They made regular visits to Hawaii, the UK and European continent as well as treks to Egypt, Central America and the Caribbean. They instilled the joy of travel in their kids, including a cross-Canada train trip to Expo 67, magical visits to Disneyland and Oregon beaches, a Mediterranean cruise as well as many happy drives in the paneled station wagon to visit family in BC and Alberta.
Frank was an athlete throughout his life - as a star basketball player in high school, a sturdy defenseman for the Arbutus Club hockey team, a spirited competitor at the curling rink and badminton court, a dedicated runner for 35 years, and a cyclist into his 80s.
Most importantly, Frank was a fun-loving and dedicated family man. Family dinners involved meticulous questions about the kids' day. Advice and support were always provided. Frank was a good-natured chauffeur for soccer games, band practices, 6am hockey, and special events like Grey Cup. Many rainy days were spent watching from the sidelines or waiting in a cold car for practices to end. He enthusiastically shared in the joys of fishing and boating at Shuswap, crabbing at Tsawwassen beach, skating at Lac Le Jeune or tobogganing down a snowy Kamloops hill. But it was Frank's example that spoke loudest. He was a keen writer, as is Chris; his artistic talents have been amplified in Jane; he was a trusted business advisor, as is Doug; and his athleticism in sports and love of good food were gifted to his grandchildren. He welcomed the chance to take grandchildren to White Spot for post-game meals or dip an amaretto cookie into Chris' mascarpone cheesecake or leave behind fresh apples to inspire Karen to make a pie. And, every family dinner was finished with ice cream (for the grandkids, of course).
It was a long life, well lived. Frank was a superhero to his family and he is sorely missed. (The North Shore News 22 Nov 2023)
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