With family members by his side, George Robert Franklin, aged 90 years, passed away May 19, 2003. George was born to Thomas and Agnes (Jackson) Franklin on November 24, 1912 and lived in the Dryden area all of his life. He married Eleanor Barrett August 6, 1938 in Winnipeg. They had two children, Wayne and Maureen. Forty-five years working for The Dryden Paper Company Ltd. (Anglo American), then Reed Paper Co., he retired in 1977. He held Inland Captain papers, a Hoisting Engineer certification and could operate all machinery used in the woodlands operations with ease. Throughout his career with the paper company he held many supervisory positions and retired as the “Superintendent of Special Projects”. Self educated, he became knowledgeable in his interests and was sought out for his ability and wisdom by many. He was a wealth of knowledge about Dryden’s history and had been called upon many times to recant the stories of old. George loved to fish, hunt, trap, anything outdoors. He was Dryden’s undefeated log rolling champion from local competitions in the 1950s. He was a trapper instructor and actively trapped until a traffic accident in 1998 disabled him and he was no longer able to continue. A member of the Order of Free Masons and the Shriners Club, the lodge and fellowship were very important to him, he rarely missed a meeting or a function until his health made it impossible for him to attend. He enjoyed curling and would proudly display trophies and prizes his team won playing their fun games. He enjoyed target shooting and won several crests and plaques acknowledging his skill. Serving the Air Force during world war two, he was a part of the work force, which constructed the Alaska Highway. He often quipped that he built most of it himself. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br.63, receiving his 50-year pin. George was predeceased by his wife Eleanor in October 2001, two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his son Wayne (Shirley) Franklin and grandson Rob, daughter Maureen (Leo) Hrankowski and grandchildren Darrell and Deanna, five great grandchildren, brother Bill (Mabel), sisters Betty Stevenson of Saskatchewan, Elizabeth Charland , Ontario, brother-in-law Allan (Hazel) Barrett, and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be remembered with love and missed by his family and friends. Funeral Services for the late George Franklin will be held on Friday, May 23, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home with Mr. John Mulders officiating. A lunch to follow in the lounge at the Dryden Community Funeral Home. Interment in the Oxdrift cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Grace Haven through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3. To e-mail expressions of sympathy: drydenfh@dryden.net Subject Heading: George Franklin.
