Obituary of Walter D Franks

Nov. 21, 1922 – Apr. 2, 2014 Passed away peacefully at age 91 in Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge, BC, after a struggle with dementia. Predeceased by his sisters Gloria Knowlan and Moira Suzanne. He is survived by his sisters Norene MacMillan and Yolanda Destradi (Tony) and his loving wife of 50 years Jeanette; daughters Sabrina Shea (Michael), Darlene Cimino (Tony), son Lee Hanlon. He was a loving & caring Grandpa to John, David, & Francine Cimino. Wally was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Norman and Anita Franks; the oldest of 5 children. He grew up in south east Vancouver and dropped out of John Oliver High School to help support his widowed mother and 4 sisters. His first job was a messenger boy on a bicycle, then on a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a side car. In 1942, he enlisted in the Canadian Army and served overseas in Sicily, Italy & Holland, as a driver in the Signal Corps. When he returned home in 1946 he started driving Taxi, then trucks and buses. He had a long association with Yellow Cabs and finished his driving career as a weekend driver at Yellow in 2001 at 79 years old. Funeral Service will be held at Garden Hill Funeral Chapel – 11765 224th Street, Maple Ridge at 2:00pm on Tuesday, April 8th. Viewing will start at 1:00pm. The family would like to thank the staff at Ridge Meadows Hospital for their wonderful care he received; especially the Path Unit for their patience and loving care in the last 3 months. In lieu of flowers, donation to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated.