Frank was born in Wellesley Street hospital, Toronto Ontario on October 8, 1928, the son of Frank Fingland and Dorothy Elizabeth Chowen.  He grew up in Clinton, Ontario, where he attended Clinton Public School and Clinton Collegiate.  He subsequently took political science and economics at University of Toronto and the London School of Economics, London, England.  During these years he also was an officer in the Canadian Naval Reserve (UNTD) and worked with Topography Survey in  Northern BC and Ogilvie mountains and Hyland River Country of the Yukon.  He began working for Northern Affairs and the National Resources Ministry in 1955 in Ottawa, transferring several times between Ottawa and the offices of the Commissioner of the Yukon in Whitehorse. While Commissioner, he was instrumental on behalf of the federal minister of Northern Affairs (Hugh Faulkner) in bringing elected members of the legislature into positions of the executive responsible government.  He was responsible for the government’s financial interests in the Dawson City Festival when he met his future wife, Ilene McDonald.  They were married in 1964.  During his Ottawa years, he obtained his private pilot’s license.  He spent some time lecturing at the Yukon College.  He is survived by his wife, Ilene, their two sons Bill and John and a sister, Catherine McKnight.

He was a religious sceptic all his adult life but had a great interest in values as his extended correspondence with his friend Fernand Fontaine attests.  His values are nevertheless largely those of the Christian Tradition.  He has always had a great interest in and affection for Canada’s First Nations and other minorities around the world, Jews, Muslims, and a special love for French Canada with a sabbatical at one time in Quebec City.  He was not a joiner, nor a member of the service clubs or churches.  He and Ilene travelled widely both in Canada and the world in general; having a particular interest in the Muslim countries.  As a public servant he had no political affiliation but his views were largely Millian, small L Liberal and contradictorily Fabian Social Democracy.

He will be greatly missed by his immediate family and well remembered by those who knew him in England and Canada.  He has often attested that his wife Ilene, was the love of his life, as were his two boys Bill and John.  There will be no memorial service but donations in his memory may be made to the Canada Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The family wishes to thank all the administration and staff at Oakwood Manor for their dedication and loving care.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
http://www.mccallgardens.com

  • Jo-Ann Gates

    Ilene,

    You are in my thoughts today. I just read about the loss of your life partner and love. Cherish all of your wonderful memories of Frank.

    Grief is such a complex part of life. Be gentle with yourself. I wish you warmth and comfort on these chilly and dark evenings.

    Jo-Ann Leitch Gates

  • Paul Wolf

    Dear Ilene, Bill, John and Catherine:
    I was saddened to see Frank’s obituary. I remember him fondly as a colleague in the PM’s Briefing Team, and recall his first day of work when I had the opportunity to give him a tour and introduce him to co-workers. Frank had the ability to listen carefully, and to understand people from many different backgrounds. He was patient and thoughtful in all his dealings — an asset to the team. I lost touch with Frank, and hope that he had a rewarding and fulfilling career.

    I know that you will miss him very much.

    With respect,

    Paul Wolf

  • Catherine Constable

    I didn’t know Mr. Fingland, but his name was definitely to be heard when I first arrived in the Yukon. I just want to acknowledge, with gratitude, the role he played in bringing the Yukon into responsible executive governance. There are some still living here who will remember even better than I.

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