1935 – 2023
Frank passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on November 27, 2023 just days after his 88th birthday, with his wife and daughter by his side. Born in the Netherlands, he held many happy memories of growing up in The Hague with his five siblings (despite WWII). His first job after high school was working in the office of the Canadian Embassy. It was here that the idea of moving to Canada began. While serving his mandatory duty in the Dutch Air Force, he applied to emigrate to Canada and, much to his parents’ surprise, was granted an early leave. In July 1955, at the age of 19, he landed in Gander, Newfoundland with instructions to report to Hanover, Ontario. There he was sent to work as farm hand in neighboring Collingwood. When the harvest was finished, the city beckoned and Frank moved to Toronto. On a weekend visit to see his Collingwood buddies, he caught a car ride with a friend. Frank slid into the back seat beside another passenger. Maxine was on her way home for the weekend from Teachers’ College. It was Destiny. The two married in 1959.
In 1966, Frank joined Employment and Immigration as an Immigration Officer at the airport; a job that he loved. He worked his way up and retired as Manager of Management Services Operations.
Frank had an amazing ear for languages and music. He spoke Dutch, English, German and French. He knew the lyrics of every Gilbert and Sullivan musical, was a voracious reader, (with Charles Dickens often on repeat), a beautiful calligrapher, a smooth ballroom dancer and a tireless volunteer with a quick wit and goofy sense of humour. He was a gentleman, and a gentle man.
In 1991, after years of part-time studies and handwritten essays, Frank graduated from York University, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. It was a great accomplishment and one of his proudest moments.
Frank leaves his wife, Maxine (nee Griesbach) of 64 years and daughter, DeAnn (Oleg). He was beloved Opa to cherished grandsons, Willem and Marcus Glozanski and special Grandpa Frank to Ian, Alex and Anna Noriega. Frank also leaves sisters Diny van Buuren and Liesbeth (Frans) Buschgens in the Netherlands, and many nieces and nephews on both sides of the ocean. In the spring Frank’s ashes will be buried beside his infant son, Gregory, in Westmount Baptist Cemetery, Collingwood, not far from the farm where his Canadian adventures began.
Please join us at Frank’s Celebration of Life at Donway Baptist Church, 235 The Donway East, Don Mills Ontario M3B 2Y8, on Saturday January 27, 2024 at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow. The ceremony will be available by Live Stream. The link is available by contacting his family. Arrangements entrusted to the Chatterson Funeral Home, Collingwood. To sign Frank’s Book of memories, please visit www.chattersonfuneralhome.com