FRANK BERGER

BERGER
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Frank Berger, on September 19, 2025, in St. Joseph's Hospital. He died peacefully with his family by his side, just two weeks before his 102nd birthday. Dad was a true prairie boy, born in Sceptre, Saskatchewan on October 5, 1923, on a small grain farm. He was the 2nd of 8 children and as the oldest boy, he had a lot of responsibilities on the farm, even missing school during harvest time. After completing high school in Sceptre, he went to Teacher's College in Moose Jaw, Sask. Dad worked as a teacher in Mutrie, Saskatchewan for 4 1/2 years teaching grades 1-8 in a one room school. Frank started a new career path in 1951 when he moved away from the prairies to the northern wilderness of Caramat, Ontario where he began working as an accountant for Marathon Corporation which later became American Can. He met Vieno Suutala there and they were married in 1954. Seven years later they moved with their 2 daughters to Marathon, Ontario where dad worked in woodlands accounting for the same company. They made many friends and enjoyed many years in Marathon. The family (now consisting of 4 children) moved to Thunder Bay in 1975 when dad took an accounting position with woodlands for Great Lakes Forest Products, retiring in 1986.

Frank remained very active in his long retirement. He loved to garden, he made his own wine, and he was known for his love of making dill pickles. He also took an interest in cooking and spent many hours in the kitchen. He and mom loved blueberry picking and cross-country skiing for many years in Marathon and Thunder Bay. Dad was a member of the Knights of Columbus and an active member of Corpus Christi Church where he attended mass regularly until he went into the hospital in August. He also belonged to the Right to Life Association for many years.

Dad was a very generous person, always eager to help his friends, relatives and neighbours with home construction and repair projects, yard work and was known for clearing snow from neighbours' driveways when he lived on Regina Avenue. He also had a good sense of humour, telling stories about his battles with the gophers on his farm in Saskatchewan!

Frank was an avid fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs, but most dear to his heart were his Saskatchewan Roughriders and he was asking to watch their games during his last weeks.

Frank will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 71 years, Vieno (Pioneer Ridge), children Julianne Berger, Lorna Simpson (Gord), Karen Hobbs, and Marty Berger (Laurie Anne), sister Rose Peters (103 years of Swift Current, Saskatchewan), as well as his grandchildren Heather, Andrew, and Tim (Cassandra) Simpson, Cameron and Claire Hobbs, and step grandchildren Jordan and Cash.

He was predeceased by his parents Martin and Philomena Berger, stepmother Rose, siblings Anne, Mary, Loretta, Frances, George, and Martin, and son-in-law Andrew Hobbs.

Special thanks go to the staff at Chartwell Hilldale where dad and mom lived for almost 8 years. Thanks to Ben for compassionately sitting with dad and comforting him until the ambulance arrived. We will never forget that. Much thanks to Ryleigh, Jane, Erin and Darlene for the personal care they gave mom and dad. You made all the difference in the quality of their lives as they aged.

Special thanks to the Galle family and the Lee family for all their love and support over the years. There wasn't a day go by that dad didn't have a visitor at the hospital thanks to your families.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Corpus Christi R.C. Church on Red River Road. Also, at a later date, a Celebration of Life will be held at Pioneer Ridge for family and close friends.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com