Obituary of Frank Tomchak

Frank Tomchak, a man of many talents, passed away in Edmonton on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at the age of 83. Frank was born in Gimli Manitoba to Katherine Marko and Walter Tomchak, the second of three children (Alice, Frank and Edward). He was born on a farm but as a young man left to seek greener pastures in western Canada. He learned how to weld, worked in BC and later went to school and obtained accreditation in Alberta as a Radio Technician. It was in Edmonton that he met Esther and they married in 1960. They went on to have three children (Mark, Leanne and Lisa). Frank didn't like working for anyone else, so he started his own TV repair business. He went on to hire Ehor Mazurok where they became life long friends. Born and raised a farm boy, Frank could not resist the call of the land. He purchased some homesteading land outside of High Prairie AB which he worked and turned into farmable land. It was there that his wife and children spent many weekends picking rocks and roots, as Frank often said, "to build their character!" Esther wasn't keen to move to High Prairie and live in a bunkhouse with no running water or electricity, so the family home in Edmonton was kept. Frank ran a variety of small businesses from the home in Edmonton to help support his farming habit, which grew into a 10 quarter homestead. Frank was a man of many talents. He was an extremely hard worker and if he didn't know how to do something he would learn how. He was always looking for a better way to do things, which led to several inventions. In his spare time he loved to hunt, fish, play chess and have a good laugh with family and friends. Frank is survived by his wife Esther, their three children, Mark, Leanne (Pierre) Nurit and Lisa (Antti) Makitalo and four grandchildren Jae, Kiana, Luke and Chloe. We would like to gratefully acknowledge all of the support we have received from family and friends since Dad's accident. It has meant more to us than we can ever put into words. A Funeral Service was held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 3, 2015 from Avonmore United Church (7909 82 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta) with Rev. Mary Annan officiating. Interment has taken place in the New Norway Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to STARS or to a charity of ones choice.