Waudby-Smith, Francis William MBE
April 8, 1926 – November 16, 2018
Surrounded by the love of his family ‘Frank’ peacefully passed away in the late afternoon of Friday November 16, 2018, at the Garry J. Armstrong Home in Ottawa, Canada.
Frank, “Grumpy” to his grandchildren, lived a long and adventurous life, continually taking risks and seeking opportunities for his family.
From early life as a boarder & chorister at Wells Cathedral School, to serving as an officer in the British army in the post WW II years, he was able to earn a scholarship and degree in Maths and Physics at Bristol University, where he met his wife Joyce in the Physics lab. Together, leaving his life as a Physicist at Mullards he took an enterprising risk and became a surveyor in Northern Nigeria. After ten years and the birth of Caroline and Peter they returned to England briefly before boarding a ship to Canada for his third career change teaching for the Ottawa Board of Education. Frank taught High School Physics and Mathematics, eventually earning a Masters degree to become a Vice Principal where he contributed to bringing the performing arts program to Canterbury High School in Ottawa.
Frank was a member of the Ottawa Choral Society for more than forty years, a skier and a keen sailor at the Lac Deschenes and Britannia Sailing Clubs. Together with his family he loved to travel, particularly to hot destinations in the winter and Europe in the summer. He was an avid wine-maker, always having a witty story to add to his latest vintage of “Chateau Waud”!
Frank retired early to lovingly care for Joyce as she battled cancer. After losing her Frank married Susan Beaumont Taylor and together they had a wonderful life travelling the world, drinking wine, and enjoying 8 grandchildren.
Family and friends were most important to Frank. He will forever be remembered by all of us whom he warmly welcomed into the home he built and cherished for 51 years. What a Wonderful World you gave us Frank, may you rest in peace now Dad, Frank, Grumpy.
A Memorial Service will be held in the Mausoleum Chapel of Beechwood, Cemetery and Funeral Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa on Saturday, November 24, at 2 o’clock.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Frank’s name to either The Salvation Army or the Ottawa Choral Society.