March 27, 1936 – March 31, 2023

Frank was born in Hafford, Saskatchewan to parents, Wawryk Gurak and Mary Nykoliw.  He is survived by his son, Dean, daughter-in-law Julia and granddaughter Aliyah; brothers & sisters-in-law, Al & Hertha Giroux (Victoria, BC), Herb & Phyllis Sheppard (Westlock, AB), Harvey & Joan Sofonoff (Edmonton, AB), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, his wife & love of his life on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2018, Amaryllis Gurak (nee Giroux), sister, Marie Fendelet and brothers, Harry & Steve (Nestyr) Nykoliw.

After finishing school and farming in Saskatchewan, Frank bounced around to different jobs seeking his path. At 17 years of age he started his teaching career in a couple of rural Alberta locations before heading to the big city of Edmonton, AB to seek a clear career path. It was during this time he met his future wife, “Amy” and thereafter they were married July 13, 1957.   After trying his hand at sales and as a city inspector, Frank decided to give teaching another go and thereafter this was his career for life. Frank and Amy moved a number of times to explore different teaching jobs for Frank before they settled in Westlock, AB where they lived until being cajoled to move to Vernon, BC in 2011 to be near their granddaughter, Aliyah, along with daughter-in-law, Julia Taylor and son, Dean.

During his working years, aside from loving to teach, Frank was proactively involved in setting up the Lions and Fish and Game Clubs in Westlock. His interest in community service was also extended to serving as a Westlock’s Town Counsellor for a term. Frank was an active hunter, fisherman, card player, story teller and loved partaking in these activities with friends, extended family and most of all, his wife Amy. After both Frank and Amy retired, they fell in love with wintering in Yuma, AZ and developed a solid “second home” and support network in that community for 20 years. Travelling came to a conclusion in the early twenty-tens after health issues made this an untenable pastime for both Frank and Amy. Upon moving to Vernon, BC, Frank and Amy settled in at their retirement complex, promptly got involved socially and set up a poker club which is still active now.  After his wife Amy passed, Frank did his best to cope with this immense loss and always put on a brave face. The last couple of years were very trying for Frank with him having to deal with and manage a number of different medical issues which eventually caught up to him. As per Frank’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. For those wishing to make any memorial contributions in the memory of Frank, they may do so to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com