Frank Junior Leroux

Frank passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023 at Pinecrest Home for the Aged. He was 89 years old.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Marlene (Bailey), daughter Susan (Dan, Stephanie (Brady) and family, Spencer (Sydney), son Frank (Jeanie, Patrick (Ashlyn) and family, Frank Robert (Jodi) and family), stepsons Kim (Margaret, Shawn (Shannon) and family, Kristen (Doug) and family, Shayne (Lois, Alyssa, Scott (Eryn) and family) and Shawn and step-daughter Karen (Mike, Kris (Tavia) and family, Ian). He had a total of 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother Brian Leroux, brother-in-law Vern Aandal, nephew David Sundmark (Kelly and family) and niece Sandra Salvador (Mike) and Marlene’s sister Joan Neufeldt (Ernie and Family).

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Nettie Leroux, brother Ralph Leroux and sister Jeanne Aandal, first wife Marguerite Leroux, her parents Paul and Antoinette Klementek and brother Paul Klementek, sister-in-law Marion Leroux and step-son Mark Bailey (Sheryl, Mitch, Leah, Lindy).

He was born in Kenora, Ontario on March 14, 1934 and lived the majority of his younger years in Kenora. Later in life he spent time playing hockey in Thunder Bay and Dryden and working in Dryden where he met his first wife, Marguerite. Once they moved to Kenora, he began his career at the Kenora paper mill. They had their son Frank in March of 1956 and daughter Susan followed in June of 1959. He was a papermaker for almost 40 years until his retirement in the summer of 1992. In the fall of 1985, Marguerite sadly passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Frank was lucky enough to then find another love in his life in Marlene. They were married in 1988 blending two families into one.

Frank was a big into sports and played hockey for the Kenora Thistles and Legion Branch 12 baseball team. He also loved golf and got his one and only ‘hole in one’ at the Kenora Golf & Country Club on #12 on August 27, 2003 at the age of 69. He loved the Montreal Canadiens and had the chance to meet some of his favorite old-time players when they came to Kenora for Hockey Day in Canada. He also faithfully watched the Los Angeles Dodgers until he became a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays.

In 2007, Frank suffered a serious stroke with caused paralysis to his right side as well as trouble speaking. If you knew Frank you knew how much he loved to tell a good joke and entertain the family with his humour. Even with his challenges, he still managed to come out with his favourite expression – anyone who knew him well, knows what it was. A stroke that doctors advised would be difficult to recover from, his perseverance and determination for life didn’t stop him. He soon became a favourite resident in Pinecrest when he moved there in 2016 where he still managed to express his humour and show his personality to the staff. He loved to give them a hard time, have visitors, buy his Nevada pull tickets (frequently winning the big prizes) and have chocolate ice cream from the tuck shop. In 2022, his brother Brian moved into Pinecrest and the two of them shared breakfast together most mornings.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pinecrest Home for the Aged for their amazing care – he loved all the staff. We would also like to thank Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre for your care and compassion during this difficult time.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church with Father Rudy officiating. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations are greatly appreciated to the Pinecrest Auxiliary or a charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Leroux family.