Obituary of Frank Thomas Morrison

MORRISON – Mr. Frank 1951 – 2014 On November 17, 2014 Frank Thomas Morrison passed away at the Parkland Integrated Health Center. Frank was born on April 11, 1951 in Prince Albert; he was the eldest son of Jack and Olive Morrison. Frank lived almost his entire life in the Foxdale district, and attended school at Foxdale and later rode the bus to attend school in Shellbrook. During his school years, he discovered his love of sports and played hockey and baseball. Frank always had a love for the outdoors, especially hunting. He was a crack shot and rarely missed which was proven many times at the Annual Turkey Shoots that he attended. In 1972, Frank started to work for the Dept. of Highways. He received his 1A driver’s license, and learnt to operate most of the highway equipment. It was working on the highway near St. Louis that Frank met Gail Laplante who later became his wife on August 28, 1982. Frank had an amazing work ethic and rarely missed a day of work. As Franks work was a seasonal job, it left winters free to work at his second job which was trapping. Frank had a deep respect for animals, but knew the importance of harvesting certain species to protect the viability of others and reduce the occurrence of disease. During his years of trapping he was named “Top Lot Trapper” by the North American Trapper’s Association and was recognized for submitting the best beaver, coyote, muskrat and martin hides. Frank was a great supporter of the Shellbrook Fish and Game Club. Frank worked with Dept. of Highways for 36 years, and retired in 2008. After retirement, he became an avid gardener and enjoyed puttering in his yard and sharing his home grown produce with family and friends. Later he was hired by Duck’s Unlimited and the R.M’s of Shellbrook and Canwood as an Animal Control Manager. He continued his own trap line and kept up his hunting, even while on chemotherapy. Frank also kept busy with his other favorite pastimes of playing pool, shuffleboard, arm wrestling tournaments, slow pitch, turkey shoots, and of course attending as many of the ball games his sons played. Many summer weekends were spent with Gail’s family at their cabin on Sturgeon or camping at Fish Lake. Frank was a very generous spirit, and was very well respected by his co-workers, friends, and family. He will be remembered by his family and many friends as a mentor and a teacher; they will remember his love of the good times, his infectious laugh, his big smile, his humor, his generosity and compassion. Frank is lovingly survived by his wife, Gail Morrison; his children, Carson (Rebecca) Hansen; Dallas Morrison (Skye German) and daughter, Georgia; Brett Morrison (Randine Tomiak) and daughter, Cadence; his sister Debbie Schmalz and her children, Brad and Shauna Schmalz; his siblings-in-law: Jim; Ken (Donna); Martin (Linda); Avis (Roy); Rosemary (Larry); Daphne (Don); Pauline (Roger); Judy (Paul); and Wendy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Frank is predeceased by: his parents, Jack & Olive Morrison; his brother Dwayne Morrison; his brothers-in-law Wilf, Robbie and Alan; his great nieces Kayla and Darby; his father and mother in-law Louis and Joyce Laplante. The Funeral Service for Frank took place on Friday, Nov. 21 from the Shellbrook’s Senior Hall with Celebrant Val Bodnaryk as officiant. The interment took place in the Foxdale Cemetery. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Frank to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Tammy Smart – Funeral Director (Shellbrook 306-747-2828).