Francois Heroux

Dr. Francois Joseph Gilles (Frank) Heroux, age 71 years, of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Hospital with family members by his side on Saturday, July 9, 2005, after a brief illness.Frank was born on March 7, 1934, in Temiskaming, Quebec. He was the first born and only son in a family of eight children. In his youth he was a gifted athlete excelling in hockey, boxing, baseball, and tennis. At age 17, Frank left home and joined the Royal Canadian Navy where he served for five years. During this time, he met and married Evelyn Alli Akervall. They settled in Port Arthur where he completed his high school studies, Teacher's College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree at Lakehead University while raising a family. Frank was a life long learner and educator beginning as a teacher, then principal for the Lakehead Separate School Board, then an Education Officer for the Ministry of Education. Upon retirement in 1988, he continued to challenge himself by obtaining his PhD in Management and Administration in 1992.Frank always had a keen interest in politics. In 1993 he ran for Federal office in his home riding of Temiskaming. Frank was actively involved in many associations - Association francophone du Nord Ouest de I'Ontario, the Thunder Bay multicultural Association, the Minor Hockey Association, and TV Ontario, where he was a director. Frank's passions were spending time with his family, reading, sailing, travelling, cooking, and watching his grandchildren play hockey.Frank will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 49 years, Evelyn (nee Akervall), three sons - David (Julie), Gregory (Laura), Cameron (Kim) and one daughter, Belinda (Rich); grandchildren Chlesea, Ellia, Jordan, Jelayna, and Carson; mother Germaine and sisters Lucette Heroux, Huguette (Mrs. Rolly Boileau), Lise (Mrs. Michael St. Onge), Gaetane Gribbon, Suzelle (Mrs. Wilf Ramsay), Louise Violette, and Francine (Mrs. Scott Thompson), sisters-in-law Freda Karioja, Anna Akervall, and Lorna Akervall. Numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives survive.Frank was predeceased by his father, Amable Heroux, his uncle, Alain Gratton, mother-in-law Anna Akervall, and four brothers-in-law - Ed Gribbon, Richard Violette, Dr. Henry Akervall, and Peter Karioja.There will be visitation for friends and family at Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, on Tuesday, July 12, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. A private family funeral will be held at a later date.Frank - dreamer, visionary, adventurer, philosopher, writer, and poet. This man of ideas with an insatiable desire for knowledge has set sail."