Yesterday we said good bye to Frank Balnar, and like the man, it was with great style. The day dawned beautiful and sunny and warm. More like a day in May than one in mid-March. Lloyd and I arrived at the church at about 9:15 and some key people were already there in the parking lot, or just arriving. Kay and Steve, Jackie and Randy, Mike Mitton and his family, quickly followed by many familiar faces. We chatted outside for a few minutes then decided to make our way into the church. Neither of us had ever been inside Church of our lady, and it truly is a remarkable sight inside. As more and more people arrived, there were lots of conversations going on around us, people sharing their thoughts about what a wonderful man Frank was and what a difference he'd made in peoples lives. Everybody had a Frank story or two to share.
Finally the service started, and the procession slowly made it's way up the aisle to the front of the church. I tried not to cry, but Kristi was the one who pushed me over the edge. She was crying and looked so profoundly sad. You could plainly see from the faces of all the family, just how much he is going to be missed.
The service was lovely, in spite of most of us not quite knowing the proper way of doing things, and when to do them, but we made it through. Once it was over, and the procession made it's way outside, the family got into cars to follow the casket to Woodlawn Cemetery, for a private family burial. Everyone else was instructed to immediately go to the Cutten Club for the reception. I learned later that the procession of cars, made it's way past Queen and Palmer, the first building Frank and Grace bought, then in and around Twin Towers, the first building under the Balnar Management umbrella. I can't imagine anything more fitting.
Back at the Cutten Club, as was usual for any Balnar party, there was ample food and lots to drink. The chef at the Cutten Club has known the family for many years and really did an amazing job. The food was great and the presentation was fabulous. Frank would have loved it. After they arrived, Jana and Mike both spoke about their father, and a lot of us learned a few more things about Frank that we hadn't known. We all finished with a toast to Frank with shots of his favorite Scotch - Johnny Walker Blue Label.
It was a lovely afternoon, and one Frank would have deemed to be a total success. For me it was a chance to reconnect with some people and get to know some a little better. I had a lovely conversation with Irene Blachford, and spent quite some time chatting with Ineka (probably not spelled right) - George's wife. They had flown in from Halifax. In fact, she gave me her card and I am going to email her. I think Brenda and I will try and get together with them for coffee or something (George suggested a bowl of chowder - even better than coffee) when she and I are in Halifax in April.
We had arrived at the Club a little after 11:30 and didn't leave until around 4:00. I helped collect a few things at the end, pictures that were on display, etc. and put some of them into Lloyd's van when he got there ( unfortunately for him he had to go to work right after the service, so missed the entire reception).
After leaving there we headed out to Fran and Walt's for supper. A delicious turkey dinner with Pat and George and a visit later in the evening by Marlene Hawkins. Then finally back to Jana and Scott's to drop off the pictures and have a drink before saying good bye. It had been a very long day for them and I know we overstayed our welcome, but it was nice to just sit for a bit and chat about the day with Jana. But she's coming out to the island in April so we'll have lots of time to catch up then.
All in all, it was a lovely day, albeit a sad one, but a fitting way to say goodbye to a man who will be truly missed. As Jana said, he's probably up there already figuring out how to re-finance heaven!
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