Obituary of Frank VIDALIN

April 15, 1944 – Swan River, Manitoba             
March 8, 2021 - High River, Alberta

Frank Vidalin of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 at the age of 76 years old.

On April 15, 1944, Franklin Fredrick was born to Helga and Fridrik Vidalin in Swan Lake, MB. He soon became the oldest of what would be nine children. Frank’s father was a creamery worker and, as the family grew, they moved to various towns throughout Manitoba following his trade and finally settling in Brandon. It is where Frank and his siblings went to school and grew into adulthood. Shortly after the sudden death of his father, Frank met his first wife, Rosslyn and they married in July 1967. The following year they welcomed their daughter Marcy Elizabeth.  

Tragically, Frank’s mother passed away two years later after her courageous fight with leukemia. Five of his siblings were still at home  - Frank, Rosslyn and Marcy moved into the family home and began life as a blended family. Many great and lasting memories were made – if not around the kitchen table where family came to gather – then it was the camping trips in the little pop-up camper and later at the cabin built in the old campgrounds at Clear Lake, MB. During this time, he discovered his love for barbequing family meals, and hanging out at the cook shack, building fires and chopping wood. 

In August of 1976 Frank and Rosslyn welcomed a son, Robert Franklin and shortly after, Frank’s career took a huge turn when he accepted a job with Cominco at their Carseland, AB plant.  The now family of six moved to Calgary; sadly, in 1979 at three years of age, Robbie died of meningitis. The family was devastated and the loss was especially hard for Frank.

Frank continued to hone his skills and before long moved to the Southport Trail office. In 1984 Frank suffered a horrific aneurism – luckily he survived but he had to learn almost everything all over again. He would get angry with himself, but the strong, stubborn Frank we knew and loved persevered and he regained his knowledge in a remarkably short time. Soon he was back at his desk becoming Comico/Agrium’s top WHMIS representative. His last office move took him to his new digs on McLeod Trail near Canyon Meadows where he worked until he retired in 2002. 

In 1998 Marcy gave birth to a little boy who she named Robert in tribute to her brother. Robbie soon became a pride and joy to Frank who loved their visits together. Robbie is very particular about those that are let into his inner circle and his Grandpa was at the top of the list.

Frank adored his family, his frequent phone calls to check in, especially on birthdays. He always remembered birthdays. He loved having family around – barbequing a meal no matter what time of year it was. Frank loved his traditions, Christmas being one of them – following the Icelandic tradition of opening gifts on Christmas Eve and there was no changing from that. Frank loved his time at Clear Lake but also found joy at Salt Spring Island where he could be with family and, for few years, in a little place called the Sugar Shack.

Frank met Lyn through mutual friends in 2002. Their blind date was the beginning of a fun and loving relationship. They moved in together in 2011 and had a new home built together in 2014. Over the years they travelled to visit family throughout BC, Manitoba, Ontario, the US and Dubai. Frank talked about his trip to Dubai often. He was proud of his name as ‘Sir Frank’ by the local staff there. Frank also loved spending time every summer at the cabin in Manitoba. He always had ‘projects’ to do both at the cottage and at home to keep him busy while enjoying retirement.

However Frank’s greatest accomplishment was his yard. Summer could never come soon enough or last long enough. He could spend many hours every day talking to his flowers, manicuring his perfect lawn and sitting on the deck admiring that seasons flowers while soaking up the warmth from the sun. His Icelandic poppies grew happily in his yard. 

Frank was a proud member of the Icelandic Club of Calgary. His family history was important to him as shown through the time he spent researching his family roots.

He also kept in touch with the retired guys from Agrium with their coffee mornings until recently.

We hope we have followed Franks KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) with his service. He wasn't a fancy man, but definitely a true gentleman we were all proud to know and love.

Frank is survived by his loving partner and best friend Lyn Jeske, his daughter Marcy Vidalin and grandson Robbie of Calgary, Lyn’s son Dennis Jeske (wife Darlene and granddaughters Andrea Jeske and Stephanie Jeske) of Calgary, daughter Karen Nicholls (Steve Nicholls) of Bobcaygeon, ON, granddaughter Robyn Nicholls of Fort McMurray, and granddaughter Jennifer Nicholls of Ancaster, ON. He is also survived by his siblings, Ken, Paulette, Valdine, Clarice, Keith, Jo-Ann and Douglas; as well as their children, Chuck, Travis and Sara, Jody and Jon, Jonathan and Samantha, Kathleen, Veronica and Natasha, Michael and their respective spouses and children. Frank was predeceased by his parents, Helga and Fred, his son Robbie, sister Sharon and nephews, Todd and Richard.

“Somewhere beyond the sunset
Where happiness never dies
He dwells in a beautiful garden
Amid the golden skies”

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS and HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

A Private Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.  Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca.  

In living memory of Frank Vidalin, a tree will be planted in the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS and HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.