Richard Franks

Franks- It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard “RJ” Joseph Franks on Wednesday December 23, 2014 at Bluewater Health in Sarnia at the age of 79 yrs. He was born in Kingston, ON and is survived by; his loving wife, Linda; his brother, Robert (Jackie); his sisters, Marlene and Nadine (Michael); his children, Lorrie (Pete) Gillis, Ricky (Penny), Michael (Stacy) and Karen (Jamie); his grandchildren, Laura, Christopher, Jennifer, Stacy, Jamie and Mikey and by his many great-grandchildren. In his teens he joined the RCAF for 6 years and was a firefighter. After leaving the air force he started his business-RJ Franks Transport Ltd. in Alliston, ON. During the 35 years he operated the company it grew from 1 truck to over 200. He sold the company in 1989. In the same year he became Chairman of the Board and CEO for the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mt. Hope. ON. He also served on the board for Partnerjet and was President of the Ontario Snowmobile Racing Federation during which time he set a land speed record of 85 mph in 1970. In 2005 he retired. He had a house built in Port Lambton, ON and lived in a neighbourhood he loved for 9 happy years. His passions were fishing, boating and flying the Hawker Hurricane and his Cessna 206. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday January 3, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at Bogey’s Inn and Suites, 2849 St. Clair Parkway, Sombra, ON with Rev. Peter Wall officiating. Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers sympathy may be expressed through memorial donations to Christ’s Church Cathedral, 252 James St. North, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L3. Arrangements entrusted to Knight Funeral Home, 588 St. Clair Parkway, Corunna. Messages and condolences may be left online @ www.knightfuneralhome.ca Knight 519-862-2845.

Visitation Information

There will be no formal visitation.

Donations

Christ’s Church Cathedral, 252 James St. North, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L3

Funeral Date

12:00 p.m. Saturday January 3, 2015 from Bogey's Inn and Suites

26 thoughts on “Richard Franks”

  1. Bill and Jennifer Nightingale

    Linda and Family;
    We send our condolences to you all. It was our pleasure to have known R.J. for the time he lived in Port Lambton.
    Always a gentleman and never a bad word. He was the source of many stories, either flying or boating, always interesting. We will miss him.

  2. Deepest condolences and love to Linda. RJ will be dearly missed by his family, especially his loving wife. He was always kind and jovial. Full of interesting stories. He leaves a huge gap in Linda’s life as well as the community of Port Lambton.
    Love, Carol,
    RJ’s Sister In-Law

  3. Thinking of all the good times spent with Dick (RJ) on the lake water skiing, fishing, floating around listening to cowboy music on a portable record player, watching him buzz around on a sea flea, hoping his float plane will clear the trees at the end of the lake. Whenever he was around you knew something was going to happen and it was going to be fun.

    With great respect and kindest regards,

    Don Stewart and family

  4. It is with profound sadness that we mark the passing of RJ. He was a great guy and a wonderful husband to Linda.
    He will be sorely missed by all of those who knew him. Unfortunately he suffered with too many maladies which shortened a happy and always busy lifestyle. He and Linda enjoyed a wonderful life together and we must take solace in the fact that he is no longer suffering but always lived life to the fullest.
    Our deepest sympathies are extended from
    Gerry, Sandy, Rian, Holden, Irene, Franceen, Sam, Austin, Chad, Ruth, Lesley and Anna.

  5. Well I just learned of Ric’s passing and am deeply saddened. I went to school with Ric [ he was known as Dick at that time] at St James school on Jane street in Toronto from around 1943 to 1950. We played pee wee hockey together for St James- as I recall he was the first guy on our team who could raise a puck. After St James we lost touch until sometime in the late 70’s our paths crossed again and I became Ric’s insurance broker for his large trucking operation. I enjoyed our reestablished relationship, we spent a lot of time together and he took it upon himself to promote me and my business in the Alliston area. He was always very fair, always up front and really not overly demanding. In essence he was the very same person I knew in St James. He was a unique individual and I’m a better person for having know “R.J”
    My condolences to the family- especially Ricky Jr
    Pat Rafferty

  6. Well I just learned of Ric’s passing and am deeply saddened. I went to school with Ric [ he was known as Dick at that time] at St James school on Jane street in Toronto from around 1943 to 1950. We played pee wee hockey together for St James- as I recall he was the first guy on our team who could raise a puck. After St James we lost touch until sometime in the late 70’s our paths crossed again and I became Ric’s insurance broker for his large trucking operation. I enjoyed our reestablished relationship, we spent a lot of time together and he took it upon himself to promote me and my business in the Alliston area. He was always very fair, always up front and really not overly demanding. In essence he was the very same person I knew in St James. He was a unique individual and I’m a better person for having know “R.J”
    My condolences to the family- especially Ricky Jr
    Pat Rafferty

  7. Henk and Rickie Peeters

    So sorry to hear about RJ;s passing. We got to know him while spending time in Port Lambton. He was a real gentlemen with many varied interests and talents. We will not be able to attend the funeral service as we are in Florida for the winter.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you Linda and your families at this difficult time.

  8. I knew Rick as “Mr. Franks”…to which he would always chuckle. I knew him through Canadian Warplane Heritage, and I remember him when he first joined. Yes, he loved the Hurricane. At one rainy air show in Hamilton, the sun was beginning to come out behind a cloud. No one would fly so he got his chute, calmly walked to the Hurricane and said to us aloud..”I’ll show that U.S Navy aerobatic team that I’m not scared.” Yes, he put on the best show. When he returned he was grinning ear to ear! God rest his soul.
    Sincerely Lee Donovan C.W.H.

  9. George and Marion Stewart

    Dear Linda and family:

    We send you our love and prayers.

    There are so many happy, funny and wonderful memories with RJ.

    I think we all had a special place in our heart for him.
    A great man.

    He will be missed and hope we can get to the celebration of life.

    Warm hugs,
    George and Marion

  10. John and Yokie Fumerton

    To the RJ Franks family:

    Received word of your Dad’s passing, and sadly prior commitments make it impossible for us to attend the services.

    Approximately 45 years ago your Dad gave John the opportunity to start driving transport.

    We’re guessing it must have been destiny as he is still at it, in his own business but not long distance.

    We consider your Dad a pioneer for the trucking industry in Alliston, as he was one of the first in the area.

    A donation has been made to the church of your choice.

    He will be remembered, and you will miss him. RIP Rick!!

    Sincerely,
    John and Yokie

  11. Very sad to hear of Rick’s passing. He was the one who invited me to join the board of CWH as Vice-Chair and while we were both there I enjoyed working with him.
    Rick did a good job for the museum in spite of some tough economic times. He was widely respected. Those who worked with him during those years will remember him fondly.

  12. What a wonderful man Rick was. A sense of humour that never stopped. I didnt know him as well as i would’ve liked but what i did know was he was a kind happy soul. I’ll miss our chats while we serviced your cars Rick. Always made my day to see your name on the shedule. Rest in peace my friend.
    Bob Campbell

  13. My deepest condolences to all members of the Franks family.

    I enjoyed my time with RJ he
    was indeed a friend to me. He even let me sit in and play with the controls of the CWHs newly acquired Hurricane way back when.

    All the best

    Aidan W. Finn CD

  14. The Beattie Family

    We had a lot of great times with Rick when we went to snowmobile races together. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
    Ron Beattie and Family

  15. Tom & Carol Nickels

    We new R.J and Linda for many years at Bridgeveiw Marina Rick was always alot of fun and a great guy , we know he will be missed

  16. Dianne and Russ Mannen

    Dear Linda Rick and Family, Thinking of you with sympathy at this sad time. We have so many fond memories of Dick. He was so much fun, even at the mention of his name I hear that wonderful laughter. He was ” larger than life” and will live on in our hearts.

  17. Dennis and Elizabeth Hepburn

    Linda we will miss his stories that would captivate all of us when we were with him. We will remember all the good times especially the c dock parties and the snake in the box he will be missed

  18. Linda, I was so sad to hear about RJ. I had fun with him and admired him so much. It was wonderful visiting with you last week. Much love.

    Matthew

  19. Diana+Jerry Janes

    Linda Darlin
    we know your pain and we feel it also–we all gonna miss F F fly-in g o f ff Forbes terribly so
    when you feel up to it come visit us anytime here in Vancouver–got spare room and a car for you–room rates are cheap and i’ll even drive you if I have to?
    we cain’t make the service tomorrow but will be with you in spirit
    till we can all meet him again just remember the good times had by all
    Love you
    Jerry+Diana

  20. John and Krystal Patterson

    Our deepest sympathies go out to you and the family. Sending our condolences. Know we are thinking of you.
    Sending Our Love,
    Johnny and Krystal Patterson

  21. Linda,

    So sorry to hear of RJ’s passing.

    He will live on in my memories.

    Wishing you blue skies and tail winds,
    Robin

  22. I didnt know him well.First met him in 1989 and bought five trucks from him to expand my small trucking business. He attended with some friends our company golf tournament held at Balfdoon and we had a nice chat.Small world meeting him again. Our thoughts are with you and the family.
    Jim Hicks

  23. Tom & Mary Bradley

    Linda, we were so sorry to hear of the passing of RJ. We have so many great memories of spending time with both of you in Sarnia and Florida. Take care of yourself now. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  24. Hi Linda,
    Very sorry to hear about RJ. I have a lot of good memories about the fun times we had in Hamilton – I know you have lots too, so I truly hope those memories will help you through a difficult time. It was always a pleasure being in the company of you and RJ.

    Randy
    Hamilton Tower

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top