Nov 21, 1929 - Nov 10, 2017
Frank Gerzey passed away in the Grand Forks hospital late in the evening of November 10th. He was 87 years old.
Frank was born Francel Gerzelj in the village of Postojna, Slovenia on November 21, 1929. He came from a large farming family, and after enduring the horrors of WWII, emigrated to Canada. For most of his early life in Canada, Frank worked in mining and construction.
In 1956, in Uranium City, Saskatchewan, he met and soon married Louise Sakowsky. Children and life in Edmonton followed. Then in 1967 the family moved to Dawson Creek, BC. It was here that Frank and Louise created a successful blasting and drilling company and Frank found his true calling, working the beautiful and remote areas of northeastern BC. When retirement came, Frank and Louise chose Grand Forks for their new home.
Frank loved a good laugh, a good horse race, and a good operatic tenor. In his time, he was known for his great singing voice, his skill at the card table, and his smooth moves on a dance floor. Family was always most important.
Frank is survived by Louise, wife of 61 years, sons Ric (Trish) and Mark (Colleen), daughter Tanya (Ihor), grandchildren Cory, Nicole (Tyler), Nikolai, Lucas, Olivia and Zach (Hillary), and great-grandchildren Abigail, Bennett, and Lachlan; also by sister Mara and niece Spomenka and extended family in Canada and Slovenia.
Cremation to be followed by a private family gathering to take place in the spring.
Special thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at the Grand Forks Hospital, as well all those who cared for Frank and family in their time of need.