Sad Loss

   I am writing to inform you that we are sad to have lost a member of our Kootenay group. Frank Emery passed away Saturday from cancer. It was a short battle and he was happy to tell me on Tuesday of his latest tournament accomplishment only a few weeks ago.

   We are sad to have lost a long time friend and fantastic player from our group.

  Wendy Podovelnikoff, Castlegar Badminton Club

   In 2001 at the Provincial Masters Championships I had to play singles against someone called Frank Emery. At the conclusion of the match Frank and I had a friendly chat. During the conversation he suggested that since we were the same age (during our time together I referred to Frank as "the old man of the team" because he was about three weeks my senior) that we should team up. This we did. And by teaming up I got to know Frank. He was an enthusiastic competitor (he drove countless kilometers in often inclement weather conditions to support and compete in tournaments in British Columbia); he was affable and kindly; he was studious and astute (he was good at analyzing his opponents); and he was well respected not only for his playing ability but for his dedication and contributions to the sport of badminton (for example, at times organizing and overseeing tournaments; he was also a staunch supporter of the B.C. Badminton Association).

Some Highlights:

In the latter part of the 1950's and into the 1960's Frank who, at the time, was living in Kamloops B.C., played with Bill Dalin. They made a very strong pairing winning a number of tournaments throughout the Okanagan and the Kootenays.

Frank has kept written notes and scores of badminton tournaments he has competed in since 1955.

In 2004, at the Vancouver Racquets Club, Frank won his first Master's gold medal in the 65+ MD category.

Frank was an excellent mixed doubles player and he won gold medals with partners Doris Clemett and Lorraine Goss.

In down town Trail B.C. there is a monument which features local names of outstanding athletes and their contributions. Fittingly, Frank's name is there for his achievements in badminton.

Of course Frank was more than a playing partner: he became a very valued and cherished friend. I was fortunate to know him. It goes without saying that Frank will be sorely missed by me and the badminton fraternity.

I extend my deepest condolences to Kathy, family, and relatives.

Respectfully,

Daryl Bissell, Courtenay Badminton Club

It is sad to hear the passing of Frank Emery. Frank is one of the nicest guys - I wish there are more of Frank in the badminton family.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Racquets Club and the badminton family, I offer our sincere condelence to the Emery family.

Raymond Wong, President, Vancouver Racquets Club

It was such a shock to hear of Frank's passing.

I will really miss him on the courts. He was such a considerate and friendly guy, and he went out of his way to make me feel comfortable and included in my tournament visits up there.

My warmest thoughts go out to him on his new journey now, and of course my deepest condolences to Kathy and family members, and to those many competitors and friends he left behind.

We'll all miss you Frank.

Tom Des Brisay, Bellevue Badminton Club

This is a total shock to me, I was not aware that Frank was living with a serious sickness. It is a great loss to Canadian badminton. I played against him a few times over the years and it was always a pleasant outing on the courts as well as off the courts. He looked pretty healthy to me in Stratford in April of this year.

Wilfrid Cote, Ontario

I only new Frank for a short time. we meet briefly at the Masters in Ottawa a few years ago and also this year in Stratford when he contacted me about sharing my room with a good friend of his; Roger Kerby from Nelson. We did share some great moments in Stratford especially one night when a few of us with Frank and Kathy went to Kelsey's for supper. It was a memorable night Kathy. Kathy please accept my deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family.

Paul Charbonneau, Ontario

Hi Cindy,

Thank you all for the kind words. Frank's service is being held on May 22 at 4:30 pm at the Warfield Commumity Hall in Warfield, only 5 minutes from Downtown Trail. Everyone is welcome to come. Could you send it over the wires Cindy?

Thank you so much love to all

Kathy Emery