Obituary of Frank McKinnon

Francis Lorne McKinnon C.M. was the definition of "a gentleman and a scholar." Frank, as he was known, was a much-valued educator and a mentor to many a teacher and student during his 35 years as a principal in Hamiota and Carman. Frank was also a tireless volunteer and supporter of amateur sports in Manitoba and Canada as a whole. If he wasn't found in a classroom, Frank was in a gymnasium, a hockey arena, on a baseball pitch or in a boardroom doing whatever he could to improve athletics for all involved. Frank McKinnon set the bar high. Frank graduated from Brandon College in 1956 with a B.Sc. and B.Paed., and from the University of Manitoba in 1958 with a B.Ed. He was principal at the Grades 1 to 12 Hamiota school from 1956 to 1964, and principal at Carman Collegiate from 1964 to 1992. He served on the Manitoba Education Committee, which developed the credit system for high schools in the province; he was president of the Manitoba Association of Principals; director of the Canadian Association of Principals; served on the Canadian Association of Principals Foundation; and was one of the "Founding Fathers" of the Manitoba High School Athletic Association. Every year the Manitoba High School Athletic Association presents the Frank L. McKinnon Distinguished Service Award to a high school teacher in the province. Frank served as commissioner of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for 10 years, retiring in 2002. He also served as president and chairman of the board of Hockey Canada; president of Hockey Manitoba; vice-president of the Canadian Olympic Association; he served on the board of directors for the Sports Federation of Canada; and represented Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation from 1980 to 1982. As a member of the Task Force on Sport in 1990, Frank and his fellow committee members recommended the creation of Sport Manitoba as we know it today. He also served as chairman of KidSport Manitoba — "So that all kids can play" — a national charity that helps financially-disadvantaged youth get involved in sport. In addition, Frank served as vice-president, board of directors, and chairman of the Selection Committee for the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and was the founder and chairman of the Hall's website; he served on Hockey Canada's National Appeals Committee; coached for 53 years in many sports, leading Manitoba provincial championship teams in basketball, baseball and hockey; and was chairman of the Selection Committee for the Canadian Junior Hockey League's "Player of the Year" (Junior A) award for Hockey Canada. Frank also found time to serve with various organizations: he was a charter member of the Hamiota Lions Club; honourary member of the Carman Kinsmen Club; served as a director of the Carman and Community Chamber of Commerce; and director of the Carman United Church choir for 10 years. Frank, a longtime musician, was a member of the Carman J-Tones — a jazz singing group from 1992 to 1995 — that performed at festivals in Halifax, Calgary, and at the Provincial Festival at Brandon University. In 1979, Frank received the Carman and Community Award of Merit for outstanding service to the community; he's a recipient of the Canada 125 Medal; the Dallis Beck Good Guy Award for extraordinary support and exceptional effort in facilitating the sports media in Manitoba; he is a Life Member of Hockey Canada and of Hockey Manitoba; an Honourary Life Member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League; an Honourary Member of the Team Canada Alumni Association; and a Life Member of the Manitoba Association of Principals. Frank is also an honoured member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, the Brandon University Bobcat Hockey Hall of Fame and the Brandon University Sports Wall of Fame. He is also an Honoured Team Member in the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame for two teams, the Brandon ANAF Vets and the Kiewel Seals; and an Honoured Team Member of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, for the Brandon Cloverleafs and the Hamiota Red Sox. In addition, Frank has received the following awards and distinctions: the Hockey Canada Minor Hockey Award for service to minor hockey; the Hockey Canada Gordon Juckes Award for outstanding contributions to the development of amateur hockey at the national level; the Hockey Canada Volunteer Award, given to an outstanding volunteer who contributed to amateur hockey and Hockey Canada; Hockey Canada Award of Merit, given to individuals who served amateur hockey faithfully, participating as players, coaches and association members while making outstanding contributions to Hockey Canada. Frank also received the CP Air Executive of the Year Award for Manitoba and the CP Air Executive of the Year Award for Canada; he was inducted into the Manitoba High School Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2012; and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth 50th and 60th Anniversary Commemorative Medals for service to his community, the province and the country. On Feb. 5, 2015, Frank was invested into the Order of Canada as a Charter Member and in May of this year Hockey Manitoba renamed its Volunteer Award to the Frank McKinnon Volunteer of the Year Award. During his time with Hockey Canada, Frank was involved in many debates that eventually led to outcomes such as the increased use of helmets, face-masks and visors being accepted in the sport, helmets for referees, the growth of women's hockey, creation of the council structure and a corporate structure at Hockey Canada, and the birth of the Program of Excellence. Frank's philosophy was: "Life is a game." Frank L. McKinnon was a leader and all-star in the game of life. He was loved by many and will be missed by many more. He was more than just a top-notch educator and a tireless volunteer. Frank was also a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and a passionate friend to anyone lucky enough to cross paths with this giant of a man. A "gentleman and a scholar" indeed. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully asks well-wishers to send a donation to one of Frank's favourite charities, KidSport Manitoba 145 Pacific Avenue #423, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2Z6 Telephone: Phone: (204) 925-5914 or www.kidsportcanada.ca/manitoba/.