Frank was born Feb. 19th, 1923, the first child of Manford William Pierce and Ella May (Parr) on the family farm in Deloraine, MB. The family farmed at Deloraine and then Carnegie, Mb, until moving to Brandon when dad was 10 yrs. Old. At age 13 he left home to work as a farmhand for W. Pottinger and the J. McCallum.
Dad joined the army on Dec. 18th, 1942 and was shipped overseas to England in January 1944. He landed in Belgium in 1945 and took part in the liberation of Holland. He had moved on to Germany when the war ended. He made friends while in holland and returned to visit on two anniversaries of the liberation. Dad returned home with his regiment, the Fort Garry Horse in 1946. He maintained a lifelong association with the regiment, proudly laying their Remembrance Day wreath for many years. He was very proud of his military service and a long time member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Dad met Edith McKenzie in 1947 and they were married March 19th, 1949. They had five children over the ensuing years. He began his truck driving career by working for and subsequently buying into western Auto Transport. He hauled cars until 1967 when they sold the business. He then went to work for Paul’s Hauling, where he achieved his Million Mile club award faster than anyone else ever had. Due to health reasons Dad retired in 1980.
After retiring Dad and mom surprised us all by taking up golfing, which they absolutely loved and continued until they were no longer able. Dad and Mom also enjoyed travel, taking trips to Jamaica, Hawaii, Mexico, Portugal and Holland to name a few. They then discovered wintering down south and spent the next 16 years going to Mission, Texas for 3 or 4 telling months each year. They made many friends which they’ve kept to this day. Dad loved his family deeply and especially relished telling stories of the adventures and accomplishments of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2005 they moved to Lion’s Manor and then to Fairview Personal Care Home in 2010.