Frank was born in Ballymacandrew, Ardfert, County Kerry, Ireland. He was the youngest of nine children. He travelled the world as a radio officer with the British merchant marines before emigrating to Canada in 1954. He and his beloved wife Terry raised four children in Vancouver before moving to Kelowna in 1993 where they lived for over 20 years.
During his time in Kelowna, Frank served as president of the Okanagan Irish Society for four years. He also joined the Kelowna lawn bowling league and participated in numerous competitions locally and afar. Frank loved the cruise ships and he and Terry travelled extensively, visiting many countries. In 2016, Frank and Terry moved to Victoria to be closer to their family.
He is survived by Terry, his wife of 63 years and his four children, Anne, Kathleen, Michael and Meghan, as well as grandchildren, Emily, Rosemarie, Kenneth, Allison, and Adrienne. In addition, he is remembered fondly by all his nieces and nephews in Ireland and elsewhere. A much-loved man!
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Holy Cross Parish Church, 4049 Gordon Head Road, Victoria, BC with a reception to follow.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
14 Responses
Condolences to the Horan family. He was a lovely man and I am grateful for having known him.
Thomas Francis Horan
aka Frank
aka Marconi Sahib
The title Sahib was informally used in India,then called the Jewel in the Crown,as a courteous term,
in the same way “Mister” derived from the word “Master”
E.M. Forster used the term in his novel ”A Passage to India” implying the respect felt for a Gentleman.
There is also a legend of a Sahib magician, in the British Raj, performing some extraordinary tricks in front of crowds whose attentions were drawn to the wizard’s magical mysterious box…
Frank’s own mysterious and magical box was his Marconi wireless communication device…
Frank was sending Morse code encrypted messages from his British ship.
Frank had the power which transmuted the invisible to the audible…at will.
Frank was the wizard operating the Wireless Radio Telegraphy ***
Even the sailors had a Voice to send tender messages to their loved ones.
This was the age of Shortwave… and Frank went surfing on it.
He was then titled the Marconi Sahib
Frank is in good company, sailing the nine spheres of Heaven…
Sahib we love your Spirit…Keep going and re-invent yourself
*** Invented and perfected by Guglielmo Marconi and Nikola Tesla.
When Marconi died in Rome at age 63, Italy held a state funeral.
So sorry for your loss. He will definitely be missed by his family. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Much love to the Horan Family…so many memories!!!…
…Pauline Coll Moen
Dearest Kathy and Family,
What a pleasure and honour it was to know your dad. I pray his spirit is reuniting with old friends, and meeting new friends. Know that I am holding you in my thoughts, and close to my heart. as you mourn
Much love,
Erin
In Ballymacandrew as a child in the house where Frank was reared I rummaged one day through the rubbish that had accumulated in the attic. To find a telegraph machine. A morse code tapper. Now to me back then this was akin to discovering ET himself
This was the very machine Frank had learnt and practiced the skill that would enable him to join the merchant Navy and travel the world. This the very window through which he had stepped like it was a portal.!!.
Aboard ship these signals were cast into the ether. Telling of weather Of shipping. Of news of people and time.
Those coded messages are never lost. They travel on out and continue to travel into an ever widening vortex of space and time. And who knows one day maybe they will be picked up and known again.
Just like his kindness thoughtfulness humour and goodwill.
These things will never ever be lost
My heartfelt condolences to the Horan family. I am eternally grateful to Frank, Terry and their children whose lives intersected in so many wonderful ways with mine. Frank, you will always live on in my heart. Thank you for your gentle spirit, for your love and laughter, and for the many good times we spent together.
Kathy and Family, sending you all much love and support during this time. May there be a time of sharing warm memories and good connections with your family and friends.
all my condolences, I met Frank and his wife many times, he had a great smile full of happiness
Sending our condolences from Mexico. We will be there in spirit! Uncle Frank was always supportive and welcoming to us. He had a joy of life and who can forget him singing Mona Lisa! Our families spent many times together, Christmas, New Year’s Day, birthdays, weddings and graduations. These memories will always be in our hearts. Rest In Peace Uncle Frank knowing you were well loved.