McKinlay, Angus Franklin

Angus Franklin (Frank) McKinlay was born to Mary Louisa Judd and Alexander Nicoll McKinlay  on July 21, 1922.  It is believed he was born in the family home at 33 Gibson Avenue, Toronto.  He died on January 6, 1982 in Sidney, BC.

Frank was a quiet, gentle person with an unbelievable sense of humour and a wonderful ability to tell funny stories.  He was a voracious non-fiction reader.  Frank also was a history buff who loved to quiz his nieces and nephews about capital cities of countries all over the world.  He was extremely generous to family and friends.  Christmas was always exciting with Frank around - he usually managed to pick the "perfect" gift.

After retirement, he moved to Sidney, BC where he shared a house with his sister, Muriel. Frank believed that if you could read you could fix or do anything.  He built an addition onto the house he shared with Muriel. He enjoyed gardening and beekeeping.

One day while growing up,  Frank and Doug were pestering their mother so she told the two of them to "get lost".  Frank went upstairs and came down with a backpack and asked Doug if he was coming.  Doug said okay and away they went.  They ended up in the Don Valley and were about to cross the trestle when the police caught them.  They were put in the car and driven to Lansing Side Road where they were let go and told to walk home.  They arrived home late for dinner and got a talking to.

One of the favourite stories the family likes to tell is about the egg/onion sandwiches.  Doug and Frank hopped a train and were on their way to Timmins to see Muriel.  Their mother (Louise) had packed them a lunch for the train and the the two of them didn't know what was in the bag.  When Doug opened it, the smell of onion filled the train.  Frank said "you are not eating those here"!  He picked up the egg/onion sandwiches stepped out between the cars and threw them in the bush.  It was said that the bears had egg/onion sandwiches for lunch.

1929 Durant Roadster

As a boy, he had a good friend who also lived on Davisville Avenue - Charlie Hann.  Frank and Charlie were good friends until the day Frank died.  When they were 18 years old or so, they bought a Durant (1929?) Roadster together.  Frank did the mechanical work on it, perhaps Charlie handed him the tools.  They took turns driving it to work.  One week Frank would drive it to Loblaws where he worked and the next week Charlie would drive it to work at Hunt's Bakery and Candy Store.  It came to an end one day when someone caused an accident while Charlie was driving and the car was finished.  The two of them moped around for a week.

Frank enjoyed watching old Laurel and Hardy shows or movies.  Those close to him would remember him knee slapping and laughing at the antics of Laurel and Hardy (and Red Skelton).  Little did he realize that he and Charlie Hann sometimes acted like Laurel and Hardy.  One of those nights was the photography session they hosted (with lights and all) in the living room of Davisville Avenue.  Muriel's children, Rosemary and Glen Robertson were the subjects.  Every hair had to be in place causing many unanticipated delays and much laughter.  The developing room was in the Hann's basement. 

Frank was posted to Camp Borden, Ontario after joining the army.  When he was discharged from the army, he got a grant to further his education and purchase his tools.  He chose to go to the Chicago Vocational School in Edmonton.  It was his wish to become a master diesel mechanic of heavy duty equipment. Frank graduated from this vocational school and started work with Ontario Hydro (Cameron Falls Power Plant) in Nipigon Ontario, and then in Niagara Falls. It was later that Frank's Garage was started in Timmins, Ontario. He was a super mechanic and his work was well respected.   Later on in life he worked for Ontario Hydro in Parry Sound, Renfrew and in Kincardine, Ontario at the nuclear plant.

He remained a bachelor and after his father died lived with his mother, Mary Louisa in Timmins, Parry Sound and then Renfrew, Ontario.

Frank had two siblings:
Muriel Lorne 1920 -
Douglas 1928 -

After a short illness, Frank died of cancer at the age of 59 years and is sadly missed. He rests with his parents in Newburgh Cemetery.