Frank Fan Mak

Our dearest Frank Fan Mak passed away peacefully at AgeCare Midnapore in Calgary on Friday, September 22, 2023 surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Teresa, children Ian, Lillian, and Gregory, as well as nine siblings.

Frank was a loving husband, father, brother and friend who touched the lives of many. He was born in Hong Kong, China on January 12, 1956. He spent his childhood in Hong Kong, growing up with four brothers and five sisters. Frank was a keen scholar who excelled at math and science, eventually being accepted into the prestigious King’s College. In 1977, Frank immigrated to Canada and completed a degree in Physiology at the University of Saskatchewan, where he met his wife Teresa. They were married in 1982 and together raised three children in Regina, all while Frank worked tirelessly in real estate and retail. The family moved to Vancouver in 1997 to pursue new career opportunities. In 2000 the family moved again to Calgary, where Frank continued to develop his passion for business.

Ever the entrepreneur, Frank was constantly excited about new business ideas, resulting in several ventures he founded and operated on his own and with siblings. He was hard working and adaptive, juggling various careers but always putting family first, helping his kids with their studies and even tutoring nieces and nephews after a full day at work. Moreover, his selfless character and humble demeanor often drove him to righteously stand up for those who could not defend themselves in the face of oppression or bigotry, and always stepped in to help those in need. Beyond his principled, honorable stature, he was lighthearted and relaxed, an avid soccer player, aspiring musician, natural creative, and martial arts enthusiast who often ushered in boisterous laughter from those around him with his jokes, warm storytelling, and extremely accurate personal impressions.

In 2017, life took a turn when Frank was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia. Through tireless effort and dedication, his family rallied behind him to face this uphill battle. Despite the gradually debilitating nature of the condition, his determination and will to overcome it was inspiring. He maintained a positive attitude and continued to be an uplifting influence on those around him. His humor, kindness, and humility shone through, transcending the physiological limitations that increasingly burdened him with each passing day. Frank’s fighting spirit carried him to lead a full and successful life even in the face of such overwhelming adversity. Though his life was tragically cut short, his positive impact on the world will persist.

Frank’s life will be remembered and celebrated at Foster’s Garden Chapel Funeral Home (at 3220 4 St NW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, September 30, 2023 with a viewing from 12:00 to 2:00 pm MST and a Funeral Service from 2:00 to 3:00 pm MST.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites guests to make a donation to Alzheimer Society at http://alzgiving.ca/frankmak