Wednesday, April 21, 2021
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I remember with such pleasure arriving in Kingston, a musician by trade but a racing sailor by habit and avocation. In both capacities Francis was there, ready to show me the ropes in a new community. He was an avid competitor in KYC's Lightning fleet--a joy to race against, and a delightful companion afterward.
At Chalmers United, his family church, Francis' skills as an engineer were always offered with generous openness, but it was for his knowledgeable support and understanding of the music program that I'm most grateful. With Rosy's valuable contributions as a choir soprano, and Francis' leadership in the church's government, they were central among the people who sought and enabled many years of good music.
One of my favorite memories is from Oswego, NY, where a church had closed, and Chalmers Choir decided to save its organ from the junkyard. Francis had recently broken his leg in a skiing accident, but there he was, leg in plaster, two stories above the floor, supervising the lowering of a 500 lb. blower. Nothing could stop that man!
Dear Francis, proud Scots-Canadian, deft hand at tiller or drafting table, leader and teacher to so many: your life has brought joy to many lives. Requiescat in pace.
To the family, our deepest condolences,
Fran Harkness and David Cameron
