Obituary of Bruce Frayne

Frayne, Bruce Reginald

February 13th, 1935 – January 11th, 2025

Passed away in the heart of Forest Ontario at its four corners on Saturday, January 11th, 2025. 

Beloved husband of 68 years and 2 days to Pat (Waun, 2024).

Loving father of Beth (Kevin) Piatkowski, Ted (Barb) Frayne, Mark Frayne (Carol Anderson) and Mary Sue (Mark) DeMuynck. 

Much loved Grandpa of Adam (Katelyn) Skutt, Shelby (Kyle) Hampshire, Joey (Chantelle) Frayne, Reg Frayne (Mikayla Hagerty), Ethan Frayne, Connor Frayne, Trish Willemse (Phil James), the late Sean DeMuynck (July 2021; Melissa Richard-Greenblatt), Cassandra (Jesse) Wideman and Carly Jones. 

Proud Great-grandpa / great papa of Nixon Skutt; Sawyer, Camryn and Annie Hampshire; Kennedy and Adelyn Frayne; Hannah Willemse; Maddie, Brody and Travis James; and Calvin Wideman. 

Will be remembered by sister Viola Blais and sister in-laws Marilyn Frayne, and Evelyn Waun. He will also be lovingly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends.

Predeceased by parents, Reginald and Edyth Frayne, brother Murray, sister Doris McChesney, brothers-in-law Allan McChesney, Leo Blais, Don and Lyle Waun and parents-in-law George and Mary Waun.

Bruce and Pat created their happy, busy home on Union St., living there for almost 50 years. Everyone was always welcome at their home and the house was always open to friends and family to enjoy a quick game of cards and a meal.

Dad was an extremely hard worker and enjoyed his different careers as a farmer, a cook, a breadman, a milkman, and a blue box driver.  In retirement dad continued as a driver for Kernohan motors, jockeying cars around and of course known for chauffeuring our mom and the neighbourhood ladies to card parties and lodge meetings.  

He was a constant stay in Forest, taking his daily trip for coffee and in good weather riding his bicycle up town.

Dad was a proud long term and loyal member of the Oddfellows and Rebekahs achieving the office of Grand Messenger of the Grand Lodge of Ontario. 

Most recently at the 2024 Forest and Brigden Fall Fairs, Bruce was able to go back in time and ride in his original Purity Dairy Divco milk truck waving to the crowds hearing from so many that they remember him coming to their house and sharing great memories.
 

Dad was a lifelong member of the Forest United Church and enjoyed the simple things in life… a good bowl of ice cream topped with butterscotch syrup, a piece of elderberry pie and an afternoon nap. He lived with quiet dignity, never a cross word. A truly humble man with a kind soul, agreeable and friendly.

In his younger days, at a time when all stores would close on Wednesday afternoons in Forest, you could find him at the Jr. Rogers barber shop chatting and solving the world’s problems with the other gentlemen of the town.

Dad enjoyed listening to Celtic music, especially bagpipes and would often show us a new song or group he came across on his iPad sharing this love with his great granddaughters.

The repeated words and phrases that have been expressed about Dad, have been what a kind, friendly and gentle man he was….a great way to be remembered.

Friends are invited to join the family at Denning’s of Forest, for visitation on Friday, January 24th, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A private family Oddfellow and Rebekah memorial service will begin on Friday, January 24th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at Denning’s of Forest.

A celebration of Bruce’s life will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Forest United Church, 21 James St. N., Forest, with a reception to follow to share in memories and fellowship. 

For those unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join the family virtually in celebrating Bruce’s life via livestream at *Livestream*

Bruce’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Lambton Shores EMS, Strathroy General Hospital and those that assisted him on Saturday.  A very special thank you to everyone who has offered kind words and stories to the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Forest United Church or Forest Kineto Theatre (cheques made payable to The Kiwanis Club of Forest for all Forest Kineto Theatre donations).

Online condolences can be expressed at www.forestfuneralhome.com.