The Loss of a Founding Father
Frank Wiens
It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Frank Wiens on May 12, 2010. Frank was co-founder and headmaster (1962 – 1986) of the Manitoba St. John’s School. It was his educational philosophy that guided the three schools in their unique approach to educating boys. His legacy will live on in all the young men he mentored over the years. We shall all miss him very much.
A service was held for Frank on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral. Many, many alumni, family and friends attended to celebrate Frank’s life, and to reminisce about their adventures with him. View Frank’s obituary in the Winnipeg Free Press.
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8 Responses to “The Loss of a Founding Father”
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Thank you for letting me know of Frank Weins passing. This news weighs heavy on my heart.
Frank Wiens was a generous man who saved me with his pants. I was on my inaugural Grand Portage as a new — and quite green — master. My legs were rubbed raw by wet jeans and I wished to die. Frank assured me in his kind and fatherly way that dying would not be necessary. He dug in his pack and produced a pair of his own very dry and looser-fitting khakis. I lived to see another day — in fact, seven years of life-giving and character-building opportunities in Canada I shall never forget. Nor will I forget Frank, a great man who cared enough to salvage not only my dignity, but my future with St. John’s. God love him and grant him rest.
Why can’t I feel that Frank is gone? His spirit has been with me every day of my life and continues to be to this day and the future. This caring, guiding, and mentoring Soul has changed me so much to the better, and thus the lives of my grown children, and their children to come…
God Bless you, Frank.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you today.
I will remember Frank forever. He believed in me (and many others) at an age where no one can ever be sure of anything. When I was destroyed snowshoeing, he took me out and slowly built me up. When I needed someone to believe in me academically, he said “yes” and trusted my ability to succeed. He steered the school with a firm hand and sacrificed himself for the good of the community with a donation of time and love which you just don’t see anymore. My best to his family.
Mr. Frank Wiens,
St. John’s gave me the foundation to become a successful leader in my family, church, career and community. To this day, I still say to people, the seeds of my faith were planted in a small chapel at St. John’s Cathedral Boys’ School in Selkirk, Manitoba. Thank you for the guidance, discipline and memories. It was an honour to know you.
Larry Sparling #451 – St. John’s Cathedral Boys’ School, Selkirk (1969/70 and 1970/71)
p.s. …still have my toque and snowshoes!
He would love to teach, mentor, guide and love you all again!
Be there. Just be there.
It is with wistfulness, not sadness, that I learn of Frank Wiens passing. To teach, tutor and mentor young men from all parts of Canada was his calling and he was a master at it. He showed me algebra when I could not understand and he assigned me to the bow of his boat on the St. Adolphe race and on the Athabaska and Slave Rivers. He showed us how to rise above our fears of failure, both physical and mental. Finally, I recall sharing drinks and confidences at my graduation to encapsulate it all. These are highlights in my life and I am trully thankful that Frank was a big part of them. These many years on, I can still hear his fearsome bark at 5:00 AM. by a misty lake, see his smile and the twinkle in his eyes. Clive Osborne, #347, SJCBS Selkirk (1967-1971)
#598 1971- 1972 Hey Frank, I remember 5 of the best from you man, for being insubordinate, but it was worth it . Many stories about S.J.C.B.S. I wonder where Rod Henderson is . Rod led our snowshoe team to second place, but it was a win for me!!
I visited the school Aug. 25 2010 with my wife, and the fellow working there informed us about the passing of Frank. My condolences to the Wiens family. We were driving home to Vankleek Hill, Ontario, after visiting family in Morse, Saskatchewan. Say hi to Smith (TAC), Freddy Parr, Big Bad Tom G., Mister Lister, Gruber (from the school in Hull Que.), Neelands (THE BEAR) , Peter Jackson, Felletti (KARATE KID), Mike Maunder, Link and Ted Byfield, and anyone I missed. I wonder if Ted knew I attended Lakefield school in 1967??. We weren’t made of candy!!!!
Joe Landriault