FRANCES ALEXANDER (FRANK) ORVIS

On Sunday evening April 19, 2026, Frank passed peacefully away in his bed at Deer Lodge Hospital at the age of 96 years after another good day filled with visiting friends and family.

 Frank was born 1929 in Grand Marais, Manitoba to Alice Jane Orvis (nee Morrisseau from Fort Alexander) and to Isaac Orvis (from Balsam Bay). He was predeceased by Doris (Sabiston) Howell in 1993, his first wife Helen (Vezina) Orvis in 2010; brothers Joe, Ben, Richard, Reuben, Roy, Louis and Robert; sisters Rose Anne, and Mary Ellen.

He is survived by his beloved wife Gail Jones; daughter Kim (Mary), son Derek, grandchildren Marika and Nicole, and great-grandchildren, as well as Gail's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and multitudes of nieces and nephews.

  As a young boy Frank lived on Matheson Island and worked as a commercial fisherman on Lake Winnipeg. He enlisted and went to Korea, served in South Korea as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force between 1953-54 and has been awarded a certificate and Ambassador for Peace medal by the South Korean government.  

Frank had a lifelong love of fishing, returning to commercial fishing after his retirement, maintaining a commercial license until he qualified as a retired commercial fisherman and after being introduced to pole fishing in Korea, became an avid angler.

 Frank began his career as a plumber/pipefitter after returning safely from Korea and while employed by Navcom, Comstock, Purvis (where he helped build the Lord Selkirk boat) he travelled extensively. He went on to work for the Canadian Government providing maintenance in the far north.

In his retirement years Frank was an artist and created many, many walking sticks and talking sticks from locally grown diamond willow. Most of us have received the gift of one of these treasures, along with his hand painted saws, rocks, scenes on antique saws, rocks painted to look like creatures, animal carvings, wood sculptures, even furniture.

He was always willing to help out family and friends when needed. His never ending supply of tales, his quick, dry wit and frequent teasing brought a smile to those that knew him.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg and Deer Lodge Centre where Frank received excellent care and support.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk with viewing being held one hour prior, with Pastor Neill von Gunten officiating. The service will be livestreamed via the link https://youtube.com/live/eKfqQRvCazk

Cremation to follow and a private graveside service at a later date at East Selkirk and Balsam Bay.

Tributes: www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.