Francis E. Draper

On Wednesday, July 17th, 2013, Francis E. Draper (Frank Draper) left us to rejoin his beloved wife Daisy.  Dad was 10 days from his 95th birthday which is on July 27th, 2013.  It was a long road, well travelled.  Frank was predeceased by his wife, Daisy; son-in-law, Robert McVittie and grandson, Tyler Lariviere.  He came to Canada in 1930 with his mother Gertrude, brother George and sister Nancy to rejoin his father William in Toronto.  They have all passed on.  In September of 1939 at the outbreak of WWII, Frank enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 21 and served this country in Canada and overseas for 26 years.  On December 23rd, 1939 he married his true love, Florence “Daisy” Marshall and they had 70 years of marriage prior to Daisy’s passing in April of 2010.  He leaves behind their family: Robert Draper of Moose Jaw; Donald (Joann) Draper of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; David (Rose) Draper of Petaluma, California; Sandra McVittie of Clive, AB; Sheila (D’Arcy) Dann of Moose Jaw; and Susie (Roland) Lariviere in Sun Valley at Buffalo Pound Lake.  We all kept Dad and Mom busy with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, spread across Canada and the United States.  We will all cherish our memories.  Frank had many careers after retiring from the R.C.A.F. in 1965.  He was the manager of the Harvard Credit Union at 15 Wing until 1980, projectionist at the Golden West Drive In until its closing and was director of Moose Jaw’s EMO during those years.  His life and work ethic was based on volunteerism.  If something needed to be done, raise your hand or organize it yourself.  He was instrumental in establishing Child Find in Saskatchewan and spent many years working with senior’s organizations.  The walls of their home had hundreds of commendations from the City of Moose Jaw, the Province of Saskatchewan and the Federal Government of Canada.  Too many to list but highlighted by 1992 Moose Jaw Citizen of the Year and his Saskatchewan Centennial Award.  At Frank’s request there will be no funeral service and a family memorial is being held.  He will rest in eternity with his love Daisy at Rosedale Cemetery.  Those wishing to honour our father’s life are asked to send a donation to Guardian Grove c/o Providence Place Foundation, 100 2nd Ave. N.E., Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1B8.  A very special thank you to all the staff at Guardian Grove.  Your care, love and respect to Frank Draper in his last years created a home for him in his last years of struggle with dementia.  Not enough can be said to thank you all.  And our thanks to Todd Sjoberg at Moose Jaw Funeral Home for his compassion and assistance at this difficult time.

– The Family of Frank Draper

Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director. 306-693-4550