Obituary for Francis James Ellis
Francis “Frank” James Ellis
February 6, 1954 to April 20, 2020 – Age 66
After a very gallant fight against Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, my precious husband who was always there for me, closed his eyes for the last sleep; quietly knowing that he was loved by all his children and grandchildren.
Frank was born in Port Colborne Ontario but decided in his early 20’s that being out West was where it was at.
Frank and I spent 13 years of a blissful marriage together, with 5 years prior to that, for a total of 18 years of what I can say were the best years of my life and he always said the same.
Frank was loved by my mom, who sadly also lost her battle with Cancer. She always told me that if I decided I didn’t want him, then she would gladly keep him in the family and any of the family, including my siblings who said, “he is a keeper!” said the same. He was so very loved.
Franks employment was always working with his hands. From welding to his last position delivering confectionary and beverages to many places in Calgary and a few jobs in between. His employers always spoke highly of him and any customers he met, always had a smile and a few Samosas, Muffins, or something for him along the daily routes. And although he had little schooling for a specific trade, he had a lot of experience in fixing many things by process of deducing and common knowledge, not to mention a huge amount of patience.
We both shared a love for old cars, music, singing – even some nights at karaoke – museums, driving to many places as to opposed to flying and camping – always in a tent.
Frank and I were blessed with 3 children each who melded together and will always be a family. He had a deep love for all the Grandchildren who called him Papa Frank. Madison 19, Dylan 18, Tyson 17, Jacob 16, Jordan 14, Antonio 12, Maverick 6, Skylar 5 and Cordelia 4. Even on his last day, Frank would smile when any of their names were mentioned. A true best Papa in this family, without a doubt.
Frank didn’t need a lot of frills and fancy. He would say, as long as I have my Hunny and my beloved kitty Abby, I am happy. Oh, and an occasional visit from our children was good too! As the grandchildren numbers grew, his arms would stretch wider, his smile was bigger, and his eyes sparkled with happiness and even more love.
I will miss my best friend, my love, my protector and most of all I will miss his smile and loving arms. So, as you have that drink of rye up in that sky, cheers my love – till we are together again. I love you baby – Diane
Brandon – Son: It’s impossible to try to convey the man that dad was in a short paragraph. He was an amazing father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. He was always there for us, and always will be. He loved his family with all his being, and that love will be carried by us forever. I smile as I look back at my childhood, and all the love we had been given. He was the gentlest soul; his kindness was felt by all who knew him. He was wise and his lessons will never be forgotten and will be passed down through generations. This is wholly inadequate, but I love you Dad. You are with me always. I miss you. Until we are together again.
Maverick: Spider-Man! I got you!
Cordelia: Coloring and Drawing Pictures.
Amber – Daughter (Dave): What can I say about dad? He was one of a kind, no one will ever be like him, he is irreplaceable. His soul was kind and loving. He was an incredible father and an even more incredible grandfather. He was always there for me no matter what and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. I could count on him for anything. He will live on forever in the hearts and minds of us all, until we meet again. I love you dad and I miss you every day.
Madison: My Papa was and always will be the most caring man I know. He was literally like a walking angel, with how he treated everyone so nicely and always had a smile on his face. One of my favorite things to do with him was just watch TV, it didn’t matter what it was, he always got super into it and made it 10x more enjoyable. Cats and Dogs will always have a special place in my heart, because those were one of the first memories I have with my Papa. I love you forever Papa, rest peacefully.
Brittany – Daughter (Matt): My Dad. The man of a glowing heart and a forever soul. The one who taught me so many things. I can now change the brakes on my car, and he taught me how to start a fire. This was all thanks to his patience for teaching and the love for his children. There aren’t many times I can think of where there wasn’t a smile smeared across his face. I will never forget our camping trips when I was younger. We spent so much time out in nature that the love for camping will forever run in my veins. Another amazing aspect of my dad was that whatever was tossed at him, he always had a solution. It’s easy to say that I am super proud of the woman I have become, because I had a truly devoted and loving father by my side. He wore many capes in his life and because of that he was not only an incredible father, but my own personal hero. Love you Dad. Always, Daddies little girl.
Crystal – Stepdaughter (Kyle): Frank may have been labelled as my “stepfather”, but he was far more than that. This man had such a generous heart and loved unconditionally. It truly felt like he had been in my life from day one. I was blessed to have him as a huge presence in my adult life. I will never forget the moments we shared, from walking me down the aisle, day trips, get togethers, to being able to call him dad. I know we all feel cheated that you were taken way too soon and these grandchildren of yours will miss you every day Papa Frank! I love you and I miss you!
Dylan: I’ll never forget our longs talks about Military Vehicles and the battles they were in. You truly got me! I will miss you forever, you will never be forgotten! I love you!
Jordan: Go Stamps Go!
Skylar: Playdoh and Bubbles!
Carla – Stepdaughter: Getting to know you was something I will never forget. You are truly an amazing man full of so much knowledge, some seemed useless, lol, but never to you! You fought so hard until the end. You are a true inspiration to me. I f****** love you Frankie.
Tyson and Jacob: We love you so much!
Candace – Stepdaughter (Darren): Frank was not only a great man. He was a great dad, husband, grandfather and friend. He had a huge heart and was never afraid to show it. He was kind to everyone he met and always had a joke or advice to give. He always said what was on his mind and was never shy with expressing it or his emotions. He brought joy, happiness and love into each of our lives in his own special and loving way. He was the loving dad I wanted in my life and made me a better person, a better me. He will be sorely missed by all and forever in our hearts may he rest in peace.
Due to current restrictions from COVID-19, a Celebration of Frank’s life will be held at a later date.
For those who wish to make a donation in Frank’s memory, please do so to: Southwood Hospice (211 Heritage Drive SE Calgary, Alberta, T2H 1M9) or to a charity of your choice.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Frank, please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
February 6, 1954 to April 20, 2020 – Age 66
After a very gallant fight against Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, my precious husband who was always there for me, closed his eyes for the last sleep; quietly knowing that he was loved by all his children and grandchildren.
Frank was born in Port Colborne Ontario but decided in his early 20’s that being out West was where it was at.
Frank and I spent 13 years of a blissful marriage together, with 5 years prior to that, for a total of 18 years of what I can say were the best years of my life and he always said the same.
Frank was loved by my mom, who sadly also lost her battle with Cancer. She always told me that if I decided I didn’t want him, then she would gladly keep him in the family and any of the family, including my siblings who said, “he is a keeper!” said the same. He was so very loved.
Franks employment was always working with his hands. From welding to his last position delivering confectionary and beverages to many places in Calgary and a few jobs in between. His employers always spoke highly of him and any customers he met, always had a smile and a few Samosas, Muffins, or something for him along the daily routes. And although he had little schooling for a specific trade, he had a lot of experience in fixing many things by process of deducing and common knowledge, not to mention a huge amount of patience.
We both shared a love for old cars, music, singing – even some nights at karaoke – museums, driving to many places as to opposed to flying and camping – always in a tent.
Frank and I were blessed with 3 children each who melded together and will always be a family. He had a deep love for all the Grandchildren who called him Papa Frank. Madison 19, Dylan 18, Tyson 17, Jacob 16, Jordan 14, Antonio 12, Maverick 6, Skylar 5 and Cordelia 4. Even on his last day, Frank would smile when any of their names were mentioned. A true best Papa in this family, without a doubt.
Frank didn’t need a lot of frills and fancy. He would say, as long as I have my Hunny and my beloved kitty Abby, I am happy. Oh, and an occasional visit from our children was good too! As the grandchildren numbers grew, his arms would stretch wider, his smile was bigger, and his eyes sparkled with happiness and even more love.
I will miss my best friend, my love, my protector and most of all I will miss his smile and loving arms. So, as you have that drink of rye up in that sky, cheers my love – till we are together again. I love you baby – Diane
Brandon – Son: It’s impossible to try to convey the man that dad was in a short paragraph. He was an amazing father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. He was always there for us, and always will be. He loved his family with all his being, and that love will be carried by us forever. I smile as I look back at my childhood, and all the love we had been given. He was the gentlest soul; his kindness was felt by all who knew him. He was wise and his lessons will never be forgotten and will be passed down through generations. This is wholly inadequate, but I love you Dad. You are with me always. I miss you. Until we are together again.
Maverick: Spider-Man! I got you!
Cordelia: Coloring and Drawing Pictures.
Amber – Daughter (Dave): What can I say about dad? He was one of a kind, no one will ever be like him, he is irreplaceable. His soul was kind and loving. He was an incredible father and an even more incredible grandfather. He was always there for me no matter what and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. I could count on him for anything. He will live on forever in the hearts and minds of us all, until we meet again. I love you dad and I miss you every day.
Madison: My Papa was and always will be the most caring man I know. He was literally like a walking angel, with how he treated everyone so nicely and always had a smile on his face. One of my favorite things to do with him was just watch TV, it didn’t matter what it was, he always got super into it and made it 10x more enjoyable. Cats and Dogs will always have a special place in my heart, because those were one of the first memories I have with my Papa. I love you forever Papa, rest peacefully.
Brittany – Daughter (Matt): My Dad. The man of a glowing heart and a forever soul. The one who taught me so many things. I can now change the brakes on my car, and he taught me how to start a fire. This was all thanks to his patience for teaching and the love for his children. There aren’t many times I can think of where there wasn’t a smile smeared across his face. I will never forget our camping trips when I was younger. We spent so much time out in nature that the love for camping will forever run in my veins. Another amazing aspect of my dad was that whatever was tossed at him, he always had a solution. It’s easy to say that I am super proud of the woman I have become, because I had a truly devoted and loving father by my side. He wore many capes in his life and because of that he was not only an incredible father, but my own personal hero. Love you Dad. Always, Daddies little girl.
Crystal – Stepdaughter (Kyle): Frank may have been labelled as my “stepfather”, but he was far more than that. This man had such a generous heart and loved unconditionally. It truly felt like he had been in my life from day one. I was blessed to have him as a huge presence in my adult life. I will never forget the moments we shared, from walking me down the aisle, day trips, get togethers, to being able to call him dad. I know we all feel cheated that you were taken way too soon and these grandchildren of yours will miss you every day Papa Frank! I love you and I miss you!
Dylan: I’ll never forget our longs talks about Military Vehicles and the battles they were in. You truly got me! I will miss you forever, you will never be forgotten! I love you!
Jordan: Go Stamps Go!
Skylar: Playdoh and Bubbles!
Carla – Stepdaughter: Getting to know you was something I will never forget. You are truly an amazing man full of so much knowledge, some seemed useless, lol, but never to you! You fought so hard until the end. You are a true inspiration to me. I f****** love you Frankie.
Tyson and Jacob: We love you so much!
Candace – Stepdaughter (Darren): Frank was not only a great man. He was a great dad, husband, grandfather and friend. He had a huge heart and was never afraid to show it. He was kind to everyone he met and always had a joke or advice to give. He always said what was on his mind and was never shy with expressing it or his emotions. He brought joy, happiness and love into each of our lives in his own special and loving way. He was the loving dad I wanted in my life and made me a better person, a better me. He will be sorely missed by all and forever in our hearts may he rest in peace.
Due to current restrictions from COVID-19, a Celebration of Frank’s life will be held at a later date.
For those who wish to make a donation in Frank’s memory, please do so to: Southwood Hospice (211 Heritage Drive SE Calgary, Alberta, T2H 1M9) or to a charity of your choice.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Frank, please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.