It is with great sadness we share that Gary Hugo Frankie passed away suddenly at Guelph General Hospital on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at age 83.
He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Peggy; his son, Brian; his daughter, Caitlin (John); his granddaughters, Clara and Madeline; sister-in-law, Peggy; and niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Lempi; brother, Duane; and sister, Karen.
Born on April 8, 1941, Gary grew up in the tiny town of Oulu, Wisconsin. He studied at the University of Wisconsin, where he earned his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology. He and Peggy moved to Guelph in 1968 when he joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Guelph. Gary was a lifelong educator, committed to generations of students, helping them advance to graduate school and careers in the field. For years, he could never go anywhere in Guelph without running into greetings of “Hi, Professor Frankie” from students past and present.
He retired from the university in 2003 and was active in the University of Guelph Retirees Association, serving as president in 2011-12.
Gary loved to travel and enjoyed the planning almost as much as the trips. He was a cross-country skier and a lover of the outdoors. He will be remembered for his dry, Finnish sense of humour, his devotion to the Green Bay Packers, even when they let him down, and his joy in his granddaughters, who could wrap him around their fingers.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation or Habitat for Humanity.
A tree will be planted in memory of Gary H. Frankie in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest at The Arboretum at the University of Guelph.