Obituary of Frank Spowart DUNCANSON

March 12, 1929 – Lethbridge, Alberta

May 21, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Frank Duncanson, 92, of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 21, 2021 with family at his side.

Born in Lethbridge on March 12, 1929 to Frank and Jean (nee Waddell) Duncanson, Frank grew up with his sisters, Mary and Betti.  Summers were spent fishing for trout and hiking in the mountains which sparked a life time passion for being active and appreciating natural settings.

After graduating high school, Frank followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He worked in many branches throughout Alberta, including Edmonton where he met the love of his life Joan McBeth.  After marrying in Victoria on August 3, 1955 and honeymooning in Waterton, Joan and Frank immediately moved to Toronto as Frank had been transferred to head office. 

Frank’s multi-faceted career with CIBC spanned over forty years and included roles in credit, corporate development, oil and gas, and real estate.  The roles he spoke of most often included Manager of Main Branch Ottawa, Head of Personnel for CIBC, Regional General Manager Alberta and the NWT, and working with the general contractor as a bank liaison in the construction of Commerce Court. 

Frank and Joan welcomed their daughter Deb in 1957, and sons, Marshall in 1958, and Ken in 1968. The family enjoyed skiing, renting cottages on Stoney Lake, camping across Canada, and visiting Frank’s family throughout B.C. In 1969, Frank and Joan bought their own island cottage on Stoney Lake. They loved it as there was no better place to spend time and have fun with family and friends.  And over the years, Frank discovered his hidden talents as an electrician, plumber, renovator, painter, bridge and dock builder, and all-around handyman.  He loved always having projects on the go and took great pride in the results. 

Frank and Joan became loving grandparents with the births of Caitlin (1988) and Heather (1989) and took great pride in watching them grow into bright, beautiful and loving women. And Frank was ecstatic to meet his truly adorable great grandson Noah in April 2019 and was thrilled to spend time with him at the cottage that summer. 

Frank retired at sixty-one and he and Joan embarked on an amazing chapter of their lives.  They travelled to Scotland, England, France, and throughout the USA.  Winters were spent skiing at Nakiska (until Frank hung up his skis for good at the age of eighty-nine!), enjoying annual ski trips with his skiing buddies, hosting epic Christmas singsong parties, and renting for two months each year in Arizona, California and Florida. And for over twenty years Frank served his community by dedicating one day a week to driving cancer patients to their appointments. Summers were spent at their beloved cottage on Stoney Lake. Frank ramped up his renovation projects, planted and nurtured his “grotto” garden, golfed regularly at Oakland Greens, danced up a storm at the Stoney Lake dances, and had great times with family and dear long-time friends.  Frank and Joan’s happiest times were spent entertaining and laughing with friends on their back deck.

Frank had an exuberance for life that was unmatched.  He was kind, thoughtful, loyal, and steadfast, he had a marvelous sense of humour, and loved to laugh.  He had a natural charisma and was genuinely interested in what you had to say.      

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends but we take solace in believing he has been reunited with Joan and his friends who have gone before him.  Frank was a great guy and he had a great life. 

A private Celebration of Frank’s Life will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Family and friends are invited to join Frank’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Frank Duncanson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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Frank's memorial card can be viewed by clicking this link