Francis Richard Wheildon

March 11, 1925 - December 16, 2022

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The family of Francis sadly announces his passing at Grey Gables, Markdale, in his 98th year.   Dear husband of 71 years to the late Aileen and loving father to Mary Lou Peers of Wasaga Beach and Tom (Janet) of Chatsworth.  Cherished Grandfather of Lisa Leclerc (Simon) of Guelph, Jeffery Peers (Christine) of Consecon, Craig of Owen Sound, Nolan (Amy) of Wiarton and  ten great grandchildren.  Francis was predeceased by his parents Richard and Jessie (nee Howlett) Wheildon of Chatsworth and son-in-law David Peers (2004). Also predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law Ken and Helen (Morrison) Wheildon of Owen Sound. 

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Besides family there were three main loves that ran through Francis’s life.  First was his building business.  Whether it was a renovation, new home, the Key Motel or the Chatsworth Medical Centre Francis put the customer first in all projects.  Francis always maintained he worked with and for a lot of good people and local businesses.  During retirement he enjoyed making and mending furniture pieces and violins.  

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Next was his love of music.  When he was 7 his Grandmother gave him a violin she had bought from the T. Eaton Company for Christmas.  Self taught, his first performance was at a S.S.#1 Holland Public School’s Christmas Concert a couple of years later.  Francis went on to play for many wedding showers, dances and parties in the community.  At home most nights after supper  Francis would pick up his fiddle, guitar or go to the piano and play his favourite country songs.  He also composed one fiddle tune “The Spey River Waltz” which with the help of friends got written into sheet music format.  

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Lastly Francis felt the most fun years of his life were the ones spent coaching minor hockey and baseball.  Whether it was a building year or a championship year he enjoyed being with the teams, especially the Chatsworth Cardinals.  For him it was not the win/loose factor but rather the friends he made and the hilarious times they had.  While Francis got over a Covid infection, it left him in declining health.  On December 16, 2022 during the morning, he laid down his hammer, put away his fiddle and hung up his Chatsworth Cardinal’s jacket for the last time.  A life well lived.  

 

Cremation has taken place with arrangements entrusted to the Garafraxa Hill Funeral Home, Chatsworth.  A spring graveside service will be held on May 6, 2023, Rev. Shawn Ankenmann officiating. Inurnment Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound.  The family would like to thank Grey Gables, Markdale for all their kind care since he became a resident in March 2022.  Also, thanks to Catherine Darbyshire for all her constant care and kindness at home over the last few years.   Many thanks is also extended to all the friends and neighbours for helping enrich Francis’s quality of life with phone calls, baking, preserves, pickles, grass cutting, music, drop-in visits and those all important front porch chats.  Memorial donations to the Chatsworth HUB Complex campaign, or charity of ones choice, would be appreciated. Online condolences may be expressed at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com 

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