Frank Joseph Rath

Frank Joseph Rath passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Chinook Hospice in Calgary on December 22, 2019 at the age of 94 years. Frank is lovingly remembered by his son Michael (Heather) and daughter Michelle (Michael). Frank is also survived by his sister, Cathy (Gary) and children Kari and Larissa (Tony), and sisters-in-law Helen and Sophie (Ezio). He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Max (April), Alex, Kirk (Maria), Kyla, and Courtney (Ryan) and great-grandchildren Alessia, Joshua, Logan, Owen, and Charles. Frank is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Frank was predeceased by his loving wife Julie in 2006.

Frank was born November 22, 1925 in Kortes, Austria to Michael and Eva Rath. The Rath family moved to Windsor, Ontario in 1928 as Frank’s father began working in the brewing industry. In 1935, Michael, Eva, and Frank welcomed newborn Cathy into the family. The Rath family moved to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1937, and Frank’s father became the brewmaster at Sick’s Lethbridge Brewery. Frank spent a great deal of time with his younger sister Cathy and taught her how to skate, ride a bike, and drive a car. Frank was a bright student in school and loved chemistry, which led him to follow in his father’s footsteps in the brewing industry. At 26 years of age, Frank began attending the Siebel Institute for Brewing Technology in Chicago, Illinois. Following his education and training, Frank started his apprenticeship in brewing with Sick’s Breweries. He worked in Regina, Prince Albert, and Edmonton, as well as in Calgary with Calgary Malting and Brewing Company. He worked in Seattle for one year and then returned to Lethbridge to work as an assistant brewmaster with his father Michael.

Frank met his loving wife Julie in 1957 and they married in 1958. Frank and Julie had two children, Michael and Michelle, and provided a loving home. Julie loved to cook, and together with Frank, the family loved to entertain friends and family in their beautiful home and yard for many years. Their daughter Michelle married Michael in 1986, and their son Michael met Heather in 1999 and married her in 2019. Frank and Julie welcomed their first grandchild, Max, in 1990 and a second grandchild, Alex, in 1995. They also welcomed Heather’s children, Kirk, Kyla, and Courtney, into their family. They greatly enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and loved them very much.

Frank retired from the Lethbridge Brewery in 1984 after working there for 38 years. Frank and Julie travelled in their retirement to Palm Springs, Mexico, and Hawaii. In Cathedral City, they enjoyed many happy hours with all of the new friends they met.

Frank was a very caring man and loved to spend quality time with his family. He was always a part of all family gatherings. Frank was loved by everyone he met, and was continually patient, kind, and caring. His hobbies included winemaking and yardwork, and he and Julie kept a beautiful yard. He also loved to watch golf, hockey, and NFL football. Frank had an inherent ability to listen and offer his point of view based on a quiet, measured wisdom. He was amazed at all of the technological advances he had seen over the course of his lifetime, and would have loved to learn more about computers had his vision been better.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at AgeCare Seton who took such good care of Dad over the past four years. We also would like to thank the staff on unit 68 at South Health Campus and the staff at Chinook Hospice for their wonderful care that they provided to our father during the last six weeks of his life. Frank brought so much joy and fulfillment to his family and friends. He will live on in our hearts forever.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at a visitation at South Calgary Funeral Centre, 12700 Macleod Trail South (at Lake Fraser Gate), on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Father Andrew Maruszczak of St. Albert the Great officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s memory directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the CNIB Foundation.