On August 24th, Frank (William F) Tinning passed away from complications of diabetes. Born in Edmonton in 1952, Frank’s parents, William and Leona, moved to St. Albert in 1954, where they lived in a garage while building their house at 7 Grandin Road.
Surrounded by woods and wildlife, Frank grew up roaming and exploring, developing a life long love of nature. In 1970, after graduating high school, he joined the Forestry Service and became a fire spotter. He said it was his favourite job of all time. But life got in the way, and in 1975 he started working for the City of St. Albert. Working in various departments he eventually started in Tree Services, where he found his calling!
He became a certified Arborist and worked with his team to keep the trees in St. Albert healthy. He started the city nursery that saved the city thousands of dollars and kept new diseases from coming in with trees. He took great pride in this.
In 2007, Frank’s health started declining so he retired. He spent the next year remodelling his house and got healthier. He returned part time to the city in the sign department, once again enjoying his work. When his health again started causing issues, Frank retired for the last time and began enjoying his hobbies.
For more than 15 years, Frank was involved in the Legion Darts Leagues. He loved being statistician and playing each week. He enjoyed every person he played with!
In March, his health started deteriorating and he chose not to continue the battle. After a fall at home, he deteriorated rapidly and passed away at the Sturgeon Hospital.
Frank is survived by his wife, Nancy (Wallace), beloved daughter, Jessica Shively (Ryan), six grandchildren (Caleb, Alyssa, Madyson, Isabelle, Gabriel, and Katie-Ray), his siblings, Olwyn, James, Margaret, Kelly, and Morgan, many cousins, and his lifelong best friend, Jack Moorhead.
There are so many people to thank as we traveled this road. Jack Moorhead for always being there to help, Heidy Mitchell who kept us fed and was always there for us, SASHA volunteers, Heidi Evans and Mary Baird, who gave me respite and emotional support, Home First Home Care, and Drs. Chung and Fernando as well as their staff who advised, comforted, and helped every time I called, the wonderful nurses at the Sturgeon Hospital and Dr. McDonald, whose kindness can never be repaid. Words can never express our gratitude.
Frank’s ashes will be scattered privately. If you wish to honour this wonderful man who always greeted everyone with a smile and a ‘good morning’ (no matter what time of day it was), plant a tree! He would consider it a great honour!
