Franklin, Michael Burnett

FRANKLIN, MICHAEL WSeptember 3, 1947 – July 5, 2013
at the age of 65 years

Michael B. Franklin of Sunnybrae, Tappen, died at home in the early hours of July 5, 2013.  He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda, and his children:  Melissa (m  Jamie Treleaven), Zoë (m Todd Stevens), and Jayme (Ava Franklin) and his beautiful grandchildren Lily, Finn, Kieran, Cassia, Camille and Sawyer as well as his brothers John and Richard and their families in England.

Within days of returning home this April from another winter of sailing in the Caribbean with friends and family, Michael was diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma multiform.

To know Michael is to know that he was born in an armoured car during a riot in Dehli, India in 1947.  This explains a lot about Michael’s character.  He was full of enthusiasm for life, exuberant and generous.  He was a teaser, a social gatherer and always on the go.  He loved his work and considered the day a success if he could leave smiles and laughs in his wake.

Michael immigrated to Canada at the age of 19 after working for Lloyds of London.  He was at various times: a Commercial Aviation Insurance Broker and a pilot; a stay-at-home dad; a house builder; a Registered Waste Water Practitioner; a businessman, with Franklin and Co Excavating; a Board Member of Caravan Farm Theatre; and a firefighter.  He treasured the camaraderie of the team at the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department with whom he served for 15 years.

He loved sailing, both here in the summer and in the much loved Caribbean Islands in the winters.  He liked to quote Rat from The Wind in the Willows, and often said “there is nothing…absolutely nothing…half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

Above all, he loved his family and worked hard all his life to provide for them, encouraging them all in their endeavors to be the best that they could be.  He will be remembered as “larger than life” with an open, honest and generous heart.

A wake will be held at a later date, for family and friends to celebrate Michael’s life.

18 Comments

  1. Hello, Linda:
    I tried to find your mailing address to send a proper card. Hopefully, Michael will be able to rest in peace now, and you can start to recover with your wonderful family.

  2. I will remember Michael’s warm smile,sharp humour and spirit of generousity! Always ready to help the fireman’s work and actitities, and his own hard work . What a fine family he leaves, and example of life well lived. I am saddened for Linda and all of the family and friends who will sorely miss Michael.

  3. so sorry to hear about your loss linda and family sending you my wishes

  4. Michael in his Bob Cat, Michael in his firefighting gear, Michael sitting on a Board, seems like he was everywhere. I meet Michael almost 40 years ago and have always been taken by his warm yet outspoken personality. Always had something interesting to say and never afraid to say it. He would jump in if needed, never just sit back and watch it being done. Thanks for the wonderful moments Michael. Deepest condolences to his family, he will leave one giant hole in a lot of lives.

  5. It was indeed a sad and sudden surprise to hear of Michael’s passing. He conducted many of the digging projects at my sister’s little Cinnemousin Bay conclave over the last 20 years and I spent most of the 90’s there, working on various projects myself.

    He called me the ‘mayor,’ as I seemed to have to frequently ‘supervise’ and check up on his many jobs located in that bay. Like most guys, I loved watching skillful operators work their heavy excavators or much smaller Bobcats.

    Michael was a pretty sharp cookie, probably at least twice as bright as me – and I oftentimes had to watch myself from getting caught in his often intense questioning.

    I loved visiting his and Linda’s beautiful marshland home wherever I got the chance, and marveled at what both of them had built into their lives, including, of course, their children and grand children. And their yearly winter sailing excursions.

    No one certainly expected this outcome, and as others have already mentioned, Michael lived a full and abundant life, loving each and every day and treating all me met with respect, a good dollop of wit – and a fine sense of humour.

    He will leave a large, blank space in the lives of those who knew Michael far better than I did – and my sincerest condolences go their way.

    Sail on, Michael – in far greater adventures in other realities, should they exist. Thank you for touching our lives in such a unique and profound way, my friend.

  6. What a guy! We met Michael and Linda while sailing in the Caribbean and were so impressed by Michael’s enthusiasm and joy of life. He came aboard our boat one day and told us that he would be our enemy for life as he was going to introduce us to a magic stainless steel polish and ever more we would be cursing him as we strove to get every inch gleaming. His next trick was to tell us about the three best days in a yachtsman’s life – the day you buy your first yacht, the day you sell your last yacht and the day you throw away your CQR anchor and purchase a Rocna (made in Canada of course). Well – we took him at his word and have been inwardly and outwardly praising him ever since. To know Michael and his family and his late parents has been a a real privilege and we send our sincere condolences to Linda and the family for Michael’s departure.

  7. He was very kind and generous and taught me a lot of what I know today.He will always be remembered for all the good times we had . Tons of laughs at “THE OFFICE“so called the Alpin Rose. May you sail on and continue your journey Micheal Franklin. You may be gone but never forgotten!!!! I`ll tip my glass to you my friend ,CHEERS !!!!!!!

  8. Melissa and family.
    It is a very hard thing to lose a parent.
    My thoughts are with you.

    Mike Proud

  9. Our sincere condolences Linda and family. Michael was ‘larger than life’. He was truly a renaissance man and they are hard to find and hard to forget. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you now during this physical separation.

    Duncan and Vivian Morris

  10. The Board and membership of Shuswap Theatre would like to send our condolences to Melissa and her entire family on the loss of her father. We can see his spirit and wonderful nature live on in his daughter. “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”
    ― Shannon L. Alder

  11. Michael, will always be remembered for his wittiness and contagious sense of humour which he shared with us for so many summers! He was always bigger than life and I will never forget his many visits to Melissa’s kitchen to be the first to taste her latest delicacy…always with the utmost approval! We thank him also for teaching us to waterski (everyone successful but me…I ended up with a rope burn and still can’t waterski). Such fond memories of life on the lake…and we are thankful to Michael for contributing significantly to our joyful Tappen memories! Our loving condolences to the Franklin family…Love, Tierney, John and familyxoxo

  12. On behalf of Sandy and I, we would like to extend our condolonces,to the Franklin Family ,who have been ,so active in our community over the years.

    I served with Michael, for 3 years {1999 -2002}on the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Dept. He was a true team member ,in training ,on the equipment, dangerous fire situations,and Safety issues , which always, came first,with Michael.
    He taught us all ,how important ,leadership issues were,when the chips were down.

    Franklin Excavating,has done many jobs in our small community,and Michaels attention to planning and detail, and “getting it right,the first time,” was the way, he always worked.
    You will be greatly missed ,around the Tappen Sunnybrae, community ,Michael.

    Pete and Sandy Papenfus

    Tappen B.C.

  13. My condolences to all whose lives were so invigorated by Michael’s presence. The Caravan Farm Theatre thrives today because of Michael’s support as a board member many moons ago. The theatre company is a beacon of artistic innovation and integrity to theatre artists across this country.On behalf so many of them – thank you

  14. My condolences to all whose lives were so invigorated by Michael’s presence. I met him when he was on the Board of the Caravan Farm Theatre. It thrives today because Michael knew it could. The theatre company is a beacon of artistic innovation and integrity to theatre artists across this country.On behalf so many of them – thank you

  15. My condolences to all whose lives were so invigorated by Michael’s presence. I met him almost fifteen years ago when he was on the Board of the Caravan Farm Theatre. It thrives today because Michael knew it could. The theatre company has become a beacon of artistic innovation and integrity to theatre artists across this country.On behalf so many of them – thank you

  16. My condolences to all whose lives were so invigorated by Michael’s presence. I met him almost fifteen years ago when he was on the Board of the Caravan Farm Theatre. His enthusiasm and dedication to anarchic theatre lives on at the Caravan – while it is supported by so many in the local community, it is also a beacon of artistic innovation and integrity to theatre artists across this country. It thrives today because Michael knew it could. On behalf so many of this country’s great theatre artists – thank you

  17. My condolences to all whose lives were so invigorated by Michael’s presence. I met him almost fifteen years ago when he was on the Board of the Caravan Farm Theatre. Estelle Shook and I were young Artistic Directors and overwhelmed by the enormity of our task. Michael was always encouraging and pushed us to be the most we could be. His enthusiasm and dedication to anarchic theatre lives on at the Caravan – while it is supported by so many in the local community, it is also a beacon of artistic innovation and integrity to theatre artists across this country. It thrives today because Michael knew it could and many had doubts. I am grateful to him for his support, fantastic humour and wit, and so saddened by his absence. On behalf of my husband Arthur Milner and so many of this country’s great theatre artists – thank you

  18. May I extend the sympathies of the MacLean family to the Franklins. Michael was the backbone of many efforts in our small community. He will be missed.

    Tim, Deb, Drew, Alan, Robyn

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