Date of Birth: October 13, 2016
Date of Death: August 10, 2016
Ernest Richard Franks passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, at St. Peter’s Hospital, Melville.
Ernie, the oldest son of August and Catherine (Currie), was born on Oct. 13, 1922 in Scott, Sask. His childhood was spent on the farm near Leipzig and he attended school through Grade 12 at the convent there. Ernie earned his first degree, a bachelor of arts, at Notre Dame College in Wilcox and taught there after graduation. He then worked for a time in Regina in accounting roles.
A friend convinced him to go “down east” and further his education at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B. There he earned a bachelor of education degree and returned to Saskatchewan to work in the education field, where he remained until retirement.
Ernie played semi-pro baseball after college and was recruited to play on Gull Lake’s team in exchange for the principalship of the high school there. There he met Theresa Valery and they were married on Aug. 15, 1950. Ernie and Theresa raised their three daughters in Gull Lake until 1964 when the Department of Education appointed him Superintendent of the Wadena School Unit where he was for nine years. After all the girls finished high school in 1973, Ernie and Theresa moved to Melville where Ernie was superintendent for the four school systems in Melville and rural area. In 1978, Ernie was appointed by the Department of Education to Assistant Regional Director of Education in Yorkton. He retired in 1980 but continued to work for the Department of Education for three more years as director in neighboring school divisions.
Ernie was always an exceptional athlete and was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame as a player and builder in 2000. He also played hockey and curled. However, golf was his real passion for most of his life. He was one of the founders of the golf course in Gull Lake and was very active in the clubs in Wadena and Melville. Ernie played his last game last summer, at age 92, likely scoring near his age.
Ernie was always active in his communities and his churches, holding office in municipal politics, coaching school sports, teaching choir and supporting hockey and golf clubs. In his retirement, he enjoyed making small woodworking projects, many of which were gratefully received by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ernie had great respect and admiration for Father Athol Murray, “Père Murray” as he was known, and the comradery between fellow students and teachers at Notre Dame College, which he credits with shaping his life.
Ernie is predeceased by his parents, August and Katie; and by brothers, Ivan and Gerry.
Ernie will be missed by his wife of almost 66 years, Theresa; daughters, Beverley Franks (Lee Kaslander), Valerie Franks-Sather (Les Sather) and Terri Franks (Stephen Tomney); grandchildren, Morgan Sather (Kyle Hodgson), Dylan Sather (Nadine Gray) and Megan Sather (Brett Dupont); great-grandchildren, Faron and Gretchen Hodgson and Hazel Sather; sisters, Phyllis Marks and Eileen Franke; sisters-in-law, Ina Franks, Mary White and Vickie (Albert) Fontaine; brother-in-law, Allan Stodalka; and by many nieces and nephews.
The family want to express their gratitude to the staff of St. Peter’s Hospital, Melville, for their caring concern in these last couple of weeks.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Services, Melville.
