Ward, Franklin D

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our husband and father, Franklin D Ward, on December 31st, 2019. With his loving wife by his side he passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home.

Franklin, affectionately known as Buddy, was born in Instow, Saskatchewan, in May 1927 to parents George and Gladys Ward. When Buddy was six years old his family left everything behind including two businesses and the family farm, they moved west to join the rest of his Mothers family who resided in the Kootenays. Buddy was the second of 5 children. He attended elementary school in the Creston area before moving to Longbeach where he was enrolled in the one room schoolhouse. Longbeach School was comprised of grades 1 to 9. There he completed grades 7 through 9 where he made lifelong friends. He then took grade 10 by correspondence. Young Buddy lived the Kootenay lifestyle where he enjoyed going fishing and hunting, playing ball, biking, as well as cutting firewood as part of his chores.

Buddy had an amazing work ethic all his life; he got his first job at only 7 years old where he picked strawberries with his brother at a local farm giving the majority of their earnings to their mother, saving just enough for a pop and a chocolate bar to share. Later, at the age of 15, Buddy boarded a train and travelled east with his friends to Alberta to work helping with the harvest. Buddy was always working; he then worked for the CPR Telegraph crew, later becoming a brakeman for the CPR. He had many other jobs including, installing fire sprinklers, working for CM&S Lead Smelter, shake blocking and falling in Prince George in the dead of winter, logging and sawmilling, and lastly starting his own logging company where he worked as a logger for over 30 years. The logging industry’s down times allowed Buddy to assist his parents in running their cafe in Kaslo and later the M.V. Anscomb snack bar for 10 years. After retirement Buddy and Barbara bought and ran Kootenay Ice Service for several years. Unable to stay retired and for his love of productivity, Buddy and his lifelong friends continued to log until the age of 74.
When he was 21 he met the love of his life, Barbara Fisher, who he later married in 1951. Buddy purchased a home with 10 acres of land in Longbeach where he and Barbara settled down and raised a beautiful family together. Here in Longbeach they raised their four children, Carol, Laurel, Christopher, and Jason.

As we sit around the kitchen table drinking tea and reminiscing about our dad, Buddy we think about all the ways our father touched our lives and those around him. We will forever remember the life lessons and memories made while on working trips with our dad, creek fishing, helping pick berries and walnuts, fencing, and tending the vegetable garden. The selflessness and generosity he showed us through gifting his produce to neighbours, helping anyone in need, giving his time for morning hockey games, or coming home with a new pony or motorbike, will leave an everlasting impression on us. His kind heart, thoughtfulness, strength, loyalty, reliability, and determination will continue to inspire us and our children. We will miss you every day and we will always love you.

Buddy is predeceased by his mother and father, his infant son Charles Blake, and his brothers Allen “Sonny” and George. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Barbara, his sisters Marjorie Gunnlaugson (Bill Plasman) and Darlene (Mel) Tarr, many nieces and nephews, 4 children, 14 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren,[Carol (Doug) Davis – Mitchell (Kathy Shaw) Ethan, Mackinley, Lacey, Taylan; – Wade (Terra) Tanum, Kinley; – Paige] [Laurel Ward – Dustin Jones (Lauren) Liam, Lilly; – Lee Jones, – Michelle Jones] [Christopher (Mary) – Stacey (Mat) MacDonald, – Steven (Emma Petite)] [Jason (Stephenie) – Justice, Hope, Grace, Mercy, Valor, Faith].

There will be a funeral service on Sunday, January 12th, 2020 at 2 pm at the Balfour Covenant Church located on Upper Balfour Rd.