Franklin Gregory Viteychuk
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Frank Viteychuk on January 25, 2024 at the age of 81. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Dianne; son Dennis (Heather); Daughter Trudy (Marc); grandchildren Kaitlyn, Hannah, Hailey and Shawn; twin sister Francis (Art); brother Roy (Sandy) and many bother/sister in-laws, nieces and nephews, and a large circle of close friends.
Frank was passionate about education and was a graduate of the University of Alberta (B.Sc. & B.Ed.). He went on to become a teacher for 32 years and was fondly known as “Mr. V” to his students. He also tutored many friends and family through math and science.
Throughout his life Frank enjoyed playing many sports including baseball, hockey, swimming curling and golf. He was handy, and generously gave his time to build decks, paint houses and repair just about anything around our houses for the bargain price of a beer. He had a green thumb as evidenced by his beautiful yard and bountiful vegetable garden. If you visited his home you could always expect a “re-ward”, great conversation and laughs, sometimes while roasting 'kubie' around his fire pit.
To say that Frank was dedicated to his grandchildren would be a gross understatement. Together with Dianne he attended, without exception, every dance and gymnastics competition, swim meet, ball hockey game and school concert. Frank had a gift with words and left his grandchildren a legacy of detailed letters that highlighted important moments in their lives leading up to adulthood and instilled an early appreciation for investing small amounts of money early to grow acorns into great oaks.
Frank’s proudest moments involved those spent with family and friends. He loved the gatherings that featured card games, ping pong tournaments, and scavenger hunts that were usually made a bit more interesting with a little wager like “crib for a buck”. He loved to travel with the love of his life to favorite destinations such as Fairmont, Vegas and Palm Springs. Throughout these good times he captured the special moments into collections of slide shows that are now priceless reminders of his love of family and friends.
A private family celebration will be held at a time to be determined.
Fond memories of Edmonton a true gentleman may he RIP and condolences to you
All
Love ❤️ Tony
So sorry for your loss Trudy! You dad sounds like he was an amazing man!
Sending love to you and your family♥️
To Dianne,
I am so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
You and Myrna always made me feel like I was part of your extended family when we were connected through dance. I remember feeling so lucky to have “Mr. V” as one of my teachers at Donnan Jr High School. He was a great teacher. So kind and patient. An amazing teacher that helped so many student through those awkward teen years.
I’m sure the strength of your family and friends will help you through this difficult time and the memories of your long and happy life together will live on.
Thinking of you. 🤗
Cindy Kerr (Alford)
Dianne and family
Thinking of you at this difficult time and extending my deepest sympathy.
May you find peace and comfort in knowing the memories you shared
will forever be part of your like.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Dianne and famlly. I so much enjoyed Frank’s company at the golf course. He was a fine man and we will all miss him.
Uncle Frank was the original “science guy” – before Bill Nye of the PBS TV show! He never tired of explaining science and engaging us as kids. Usually starting with a question to lure you in. A few examples come to mind…
• What makes you float in the lake at Penticton?
• What are those stars in the sky?
• What are the bugs on the nature walk through the woods, and why are they important?
• How can you make a really cool geometric wall hanging using nails and embroidery threads?
• What plants in the garden can be divided to start new shoots?
• And on a recent road trip to Calgary… “How does Tim Horton’s keep their coffee consistently hot?” (I will confess that now in my 60’s I pretended to understand his explanation of the physics behind the boiling point of water).
All these questions, and his enthusiasm to explain, I am sure inspired his many cohorts of students over the years, and all of us kids as we were growing up. He was also always one of the willing grown ups to keep an eye on the kids and get a game started.
When there was calamity and chaos in the extended family, he responded with calm and reassurance in his quiet way. After the tears were shed I recall him stating that …
“Life is like one big onion…with every layer you peel away, you shed another tear”.
Now we find ourselves at the center of the onion, with so many tears already shed, to say goodbye. I think, just like all those times past, Uncle Frank would want us to blow our noses, dry our eyes and find a funny or happy thought to move forward.
Love,
Wendy
Gone but never forgotten. Fond memories will prevail and the stars will tell the rest. One star for each of us
Bent and jasha