Tuesday, April 23, 2024
I want to start by offering my condolences to Frank’s family - Norma, Craig, Jayne and others. When I first heard about Frank’s passing from Bob Lantos, I began a computer search for memorial services based on the name Stoyles. I was struck by the number of Stoyles from the Maritimes - particularly Newfoundland. Although I knew of Frank’s early days in St Catherines ON, I wasn’t aware of any Newfoundland connection.
At Frank’s memorial service at Knox United this past Saturday, I enjoyed the Pastor’s rendering of Craig’s and Jayne’s eulogies to their Dad. I also enjoyed his description of Frank’s place in the church community. This is also indicated by the number of people at the service - probably well over 100 - which bears witness to the kind of person that Frank was. So, since Frank’s special qualities have already been attested to so movingly at his church memorial as well as in this venue, I thought I’d provide some of the many memories I have of him in lighter moments.
Although I’ve met and socialized with Norma a number of times over the years, I think that the only time I met Craig and Jayne was back in the mid-to-late seventies. My boys Phil and Steve and I were planning a summer visit to my family in Barrie. Frank had invited me to drop in to the cottage for a visit, so Instead of taking the usual Hwy 7 route, this time we took Hwy 60 through Algonquin Park. On the way, we stopped in at the Stoyles cottage and enjoyed a great couple of hours. I particularly remember a meal of fish that Frank and Norma had caught and cooked - delicious!
As a friend and colleague at Algonquin College for over 25 years, I’d like to pass on some of my memories of Frank. He was a consummate professional and often provided valuable advice. He was there for me when within a 12-month period I lost both my wife and my Dad.
There were fun times as well. We skied together for many years, and quite often he’d get me into Camp Fortune using some kind of passes - I never did know exactly what they were. I can still see him flying down the mountainside, his clothing rippling in the breeze. We often visited Sandy & Harry Menna at their chalet in the Laurentians north of Montreal - those were great times. And one winter we visited another colleague - Dr Thed, who was on sabbatical and had rented a chalet near Quebec City. I still remember Frank and I standing at the top of a mountain and looking down at the city and the river far below.
I recall another event which Norma might recall, maybe with a smile now but probably not at the time. I think it was a Christmas party that some of the staff had set up in one of the portables. The Chemistry lads had provided a punch that looked wonderfully colourful, with pieces of fruit bobbing in it. It tasted wonderful! What Frank and I didn’t know was that they had created it in the lab using 100% ethanol. When we returned to the Math office, we were decidedly tipsy. So before heading home, we went to a friend’s house for coffee. My friend still remembers that visit.
Another memory involved invigilation of final exams in the Algonquin gym, and was probably the only time I can recall where Frank momentarily lost emotional control. We were standing together at the back of the room and were approached by 2 female colleagues, one dressed in white and the other in black. One of the ladies asked us if they reminded us of a particular brand of Scotch, of course expecting the reply ‘Black and White’. Before I could stop myself I blurted out ‘Haig and Haig’. Frank gave out a mirthful snort, but in the time it took for me to turn my head and look at him, his face had already resumed its calm demeanor.
Well, I have many other great memories of Frank, but I’ve probably already exceeded the space usually allocated to these remembrances. So again, I want to pass along my sincere condolences to Norma, Jayne and Craig. You have lost a wonderful husband and father and we all have lost a great friend.
Jay Calvert
