With heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of Frank Shelest.. Less than three months since the passing of his life’s love Alice, Frank joined her on February 23, 2020.
Dad was born in Poland near the Russian border on
September 26, 1929. As a baby of less
than a year, with his parents he immigrated to Canada in May 1930. Old country acquaintances drew them to cross
the country and settle in Prince George.
Dad’s youth was spent in P.G., pursuing interests in the outdoors and
school sports. He graduated from Prince
George Secondary, gaining experience in a few different professions he ultimately
settled on teaching. Frank attended Normal
School at the University of Victoria and his career commenced in rural Prince
George. He married Alice in 1953 and
after adding two children to the mix the family moved to Needles, finally settling
in Chase in 1959. Frank was committed to
obtaining his degree in education and attended summer school almost every year,
finally graduating with his degree the same year his daughter graduated from
high school. It was a long road but for
him the perfect way to meet the obligations of his family and his work.
As the vice-principal of the one school in Chase, Dad
watched the community grow and the school system change, moving to the high
school as vice-principal when it opened.
As a father he treated his children to a wide variety of family activities including hunting, fishing, photography, rock hounding, music and community service. In 1967 he was a charter member of the Chase Lions Club. It was an avenue for him to thank the community for the life he and his family were able to live. He was very active in a number of community endeavours including the curling club, the health centre, Salute to the Sockeye, Lions Quest, the area rock club are a few that come to mind. Frank received many awards including Chase Citizen of the Year, Chase Lion of the Year, Lifetime Lions Member and also the highest Lions International award, the Melvin Jones Lions Award.
Frank will be dearly missed by his children Sandy
(Glenn) Vogstad of Kamloops, Rob (Sherree) of Princeton; his grandchildren Lee
(Yuki) Vogstad, Tessa (Scott) Cooper, Jen Shelest, Nikki (Brad) Wutke;
great-grandchildren, Lily, Dylan, Leland, Emily and Noah. Frank was predeceased by his brother Bruno
(Shirley) and survived by his siblings, Walter (Marilyn), Staffie (Fred), Mike
and Fran. Many nieces and nephews will
remember his smile at the frequent family reunions.
The family would like to thank the staff of Kamloops
Seniors Village and Royal Inland Hospital – 5S for their care and understanding
of Dad’s needs.
A celebration of life will be held in Chase in late
spring for both Frank and Alice. They
will be together for life.
Memorial donations may be made to Chase Lions or the
Heart & Stroke Foundation.