Frank Paul

August 7, 1924 – April 30, 2012

We regret to announce the passing of Frank Paul on April 30th, 2012 at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. He is survived by his wife Mary; daughters: Susan (Rob) Legault, Kathy (Garth) Cuthbert, and Barb Wadey; as well as seven grand-children and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Susana Paul and his son-in-law Patrick Wadey.

Frank was born in Romania. When Frank was four years old his parents emigrated to Canada leaving him in Romania with his grandparents. Once his parents were established in Kelowna, they sent for young Frank who was then six years old. With just a tag around his neck that included his name and destination – by himself - Frank crossed the Atlantic on a ship, entered Canada through Pier 21 in Halifax and travelled by train to Okanagan Landing where he was met by his father. Together they completed their journey to Kelowna on the SS Sicamous. This is where Frank grew up and graduated from Kelowna Senior High School. He attended the University of British Columbia where he obtained his BA in both English and Zoology in 1947. He met Mary, his future wife while they were both pursuing their Masters’ degrees in Zoology, graduating with MA’ s in 1949. After one year of post-graduate studies at the University of Washington. they returned to UBC where Frank took Teacher’s Training and Mary worked as a lab assistant in the Physics Department.

On August 4, 1951 Frank and Mary were married. After one year of teaching at the Junior High School in Trail, they moved to Vernon where he taught chemistry and biology at the High School for thirteen years. Frank was involved in establishing a Grade 13 program located at the Vernon Army Camp. About this time Okanagan College was being formed and Frank was asked to integrate Grade 13 into the college system and establish the Vernon Campus of Okanagan College. He retired at the end of 1980.

Frank was an avid naturalist and bird watcher. He was an early member of the North Okanagan Naturalist Club, which gave him a lifetime of enjoyment, friendships and outdoor adventures. He also served as president of The Federation of BC Naturalists (now called Nature BC), was editor of their newsletter and belonged to several committees, one of which included the Provincial Problem Wildlife Committee. He was elected as the BC representative for the Canadian Nature Federation and convened an Annual General Meeting of the CNF at Silver Star Mountain. He was awarded Lifetime Memberships in both the North Okanagan Naturalist Club and the Federation of BC Naturalists.

Frank quickly became involved in the Vernon community where some of his activities and accomplishments included: Boy Scout leader, camping equipment manager and lifeguard for Girl Guides of Canada, the Kiwanis Club, and the Canada Council, BC Yukon region. He served 10 years on the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Board, including the position of Chairman and served two terms as Alderman on Vernon City Council. He received a City of Vernon Most Valuable Person Award presented by the Canadian Club, and the Elton Anderson award as the BC Naturalist of the Year.

Frank’s leisure activities included hiking, tennis, skiing, fishing, swimming and sailing. He and Mary spent many years of enjoyment with family and friends at the Alexis Beach cabin and then at their home at Wainman Cove, Okanagan Lake. After retirement, Frank and Mary travelled with a truck and trailer from Inuvik to the bottom of the Baja, Mexico and along the gulf coast of the United States. For over 20 years winters were spent in Tower Point Resort, Mesa, Arizona. With their Canadian and American friends, Frank and Mary enjoyed travels to Spain and Thailand. They also shared many ocean and river boat cruises with family and friends.

The family would like to thank Trina and the team of Nurses Next Door, Dr. Gilhooly, Dr. Houle, and the nurses at Vernon Jubilee Hospital for their kind and compassionate care of Frank.

A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 4303 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon on Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frank may be made to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation or the Okanagan College Foundation (Kalamalka Campus).

Forever in our hearts