Obituary of Frank Whittaker

WHITTAKER Frank Kirkham. Frank passed away suddenly at home on April 30, 2004, in Duncan, BC. Frank was born in Cowichan Station, B.C., on March 30, 1920, the fourth son of John (Jack) and Lily Whittaker, and lived in the Cowichan Valley almost his entire life. He attended Cowichan and Bench Elementary Schools and Cobble Hill High School. He started logging at the age of 16 in local areas and continued until he was 19 when he signed up to serve in the Canadian Army at the beginning of the Second World War. He was stationed in a several Canadian camps including Victoria, Vernon, and Val Cartier before going overseas to Britain where he had various duties such as a logger in Scotland, dispatch rider and MilitaryPoliceman. It was there he met and married Dorothy Rosalie Owens in 1945. After the surrender of Germany and Japan, he returned home. Dorothy joined him in 1946 and they eventually settled in Cowichan Station where they raised three children. He continued to work in the logging industry and eventually, owned and operated a camp in Howe Sound. Injuries sustained from logging and car accidents forced his retirement from logging and in 1967 he entered the real estate business in the Duncan area. He worked for Canada Permanent Trust and Duncan Realty which he later owned and operated until his retirement in 1982. Dorothy passed away in 1990. Frank married Joyce Martin in 1991 in Duncan and embraced a new familyof children and grandchildren. Frank enjoyed traveling in his motor home locally, in western Canada and throughout southwest U.S. He also enjoyed trips to Hawaii. For many years he was an avid pool player, especially on the 6 x 12 pool tables at the Duncan Canadian Legion. He was also an avid golfer. In later years he prided himself in his beautiful garden. Frank enjoyed life and was always quick with a joke. He will be greatly missed by his wife Joyce; three children: Susan McDonald (Dennis), Scott (Patricia), Brad (Kim Isaac); fourgrandchildren: Sean and Andrea Whittaker, Darren and Kevin McDonald; one great-grandchild Keeley and brother Phil. He will also be very much missed by Tim, Todd, Trevor, Candis and Tom andtheir families. Frank was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (1990) and by his brothers Ed (2003) and George (1982). A Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Cowichan Station, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 8, 2004. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank's name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Arthritis Society. He will be greatly missed by many family and friends.