Frank Passed Away Last Week

Hello, my name is John and I am Franks son. Frank passed away last week. I know he truly enjoyed being a part of the pacemaker club. He did not die from a failing heart or defective pacemaker. In fact I'm certain he would have wanted this post to actually read, "Slightly used pacemaker for sale. Perfectly calibrated and only slightly used. Installation instructions included. Sold as is."

While Frank was in great health for 82 he was also in a fair amount of pain. He chose to leave this world on his own terms and at his own time. If you have interacted with Frank then you know that he was determined and always willing to experiment with things. He was an engineer to the end.

I'll make attempts to monitor posts over the next couple of weeks and will try to answer any questions I can about his death and his life.

50 Comments

John !

by IAN MC - 2013-04-21 06:04:39

Frank had great depth of knowledge , a healthy cynicism about many aspects of health care and a fabulous self-deprecating sense of humour.

He was one of the first to help when I acquired a pacemaker. Any other info you can give about his life and death will be greatly appreciated by many people on here.

Ian

thank you for letting us know

by Tracey_E - 2013-04-21 06:04:43

I am so sad! Frank was an integral part of this community and will be sorely missed.

Sorry to hear that

by Zia - 2013-04-21 06:04:49

Several of us had been wondering about Frank. He had always been so helpful and so HERE! then suddenly disappeared from the forum. I grieve to hear he's gone but have to admire his fortitude and courage while he was here. Best wishes go with his family in this difficult time and hope all goes as well as possible with you.

Sorry for your loss

by Blue - 2013-04-21 07:04:09

Plese accept my condolences for the losss of your Dad.

He was a great guy and his wisdom and support was truly appreciated here in Australia

Sincerely.

Billie

Frank

by Alma Annie - 2013-04-21 07:04:14

Yes, Frank was a great help to all of us. I enjoyed his advice to others and also myself, and he will be missed greatly.
Please accept my sympathy for the loss of a great man.
Alma Annie

So Sorry About The Loss Of Frank

by SMITTY - 2013-04-21 07:04:24



Dear John,

Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad.

I have been afraid we were going to be without him as he just never went more than a week or without our hearing from him.

He will be sorely missed.

Sincerely,

Smitty

Frank

by LS - 2013-04-21 07:04:28

My condolences to you & your family. He was the first one to help answer a question from me when I first joined. What a wealth of knowledge he was. Liz

Condolences

by wenditt - 2013-04-21 07:04:55

Hi John,
My deepest, deepest condolences for you and your family. Your father is one of my hero's. He was always there for me to calm me down and explain things in a thorough yet humorous way. I loved that he would often mention your late mother and pass along her years of hard work in an effort to help others.

I learned so much from that man. I wasn't aware he was in pain. He never mentioned it. Although I've been away for a while....his words of wisdom always stick with me.

God Bless you and your family. A true loss here on Earth.

Fondly,
Wendy

John

by Grateful Heart - 2013-04-21 08:04:03

Thank you for notifying us. I am so sorry for your loss. Frank was a great help to us all and a very important part of the club. His knowledge and humor will be missed. Prayers for Frank and your family.

Grateful Heart

The one I could always count on..Electric Frank

by aldeer - 2013-04-21 08:04:11

John... we will miss your dad so very much. He helped me so very much with every question that I had. A very wonderful person and always one of our favorites! What a wonderful sense of humor and knowledge....Thank you so much for posting.
aldeer

My sympathy to you and your family

by CEWesterlund - 2013-04-21 08:04:57

John,
Thank you so much for sharing this news. I know many of us valued his wisdom, humor and calm presence here on the PC. May he rest in peace and I will hold you in my prayers.
Christine

A sad day

by admin - 2013-04-21 08:04:59

John,

I'm sorry to hear the news of your father's passing. I have been worried for a week or so now. Frank has been an intergral part of our online community for number of years. I will miss him as will many members. My sympaties,

Blake

:(

by pacergirl - 2013-04-21 09:04:57

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to Frank. He will be missed for certain. He was always kind to me and always offered an interesting point of view.

Thank you for letting me know.
Pacergirl

A real loss to PacemakerClub

by jaykay - 2013-04-21 10:04:09

My sympathy to the family and to the Club on the loss of a real personality who was always willing to help. He always was a light shining in our darkness when we needed information. What a loss.......jo

Say it ain't so...

by TITLE - 2013-04-21 10:04:22

Thoughts and prayers to your family. Frank was there for me when I needed his advice. His wit and humor coupled with his immense knowledge were second to none. The world was truly bettered by his life.
Thanks Frank,
TITLE
(Trust in the Lord Everyday)

john

by jessie - 2013-04-21 10:04:30

my deepest condolences to you and your family. he always talked to me about mary and just how much he missed her. i had no idea that he was in physical pain. i will always remember him as the man who helped a lot of people and of course the engineer. i found it funny that he helped mary in her career. usually engineers dont quite get it but he did.this coming week is going to be extremely tough for us and expect some not so good news in regard to a certain engineer's health. again i will miss him sorely. jessie

Sorry for your loss

by lynquinn - 2013-04-21 10:04:47

John and Family,
Frank was very kind and helpful when I was having problems before and after my PC. He always took the time to help everyone and will be truly missed.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Lyn

A Very Personal Loss

by donb - 2013-04-21 11:04:20

John, as your father was a personal friend via our Private Message media also. The news of your Dad passing came as a shock as we both are near the same age, shared same interests, exchanged our aviation & elctronic backgrounds many times. I was in Florida at the time of his passing & being off-line I kept thinking about Frank as he always kept everyone updated when he would travel. Having been with our support group for a number of years I will miss Frank in many ways. So, John I want to express my sincere sorrow in his passing & hope time will ease the pain of your loss.
DonB (Don Bauer)

Loss is heartfelt

by jeanlancour - 2013-04-21 11:04:38

It truly says a lot about a man so willing to share his kindness, humor, insight, knowledge, and wit, and so careful to keep his pain and aloneness self contained. He beleived he could help more that way. I will keep an image of a grand old man setting in the desert basking in the sun with his shirt off in my minds eye as I say a good-by prayer. We were lucky to have even a tiny bit of him in our lives. Thank you for sharing. Jean

So sorry

by golden_snitch - 2013-04-22 02:04:25

My deepest condolences to you and your family, John. Frank will never be forgotten in this forum. He had a great wealth of knowledge about pacemakers, and he was one of those who tried to answer every single question that was posted - the only times he didn't answer was when he was driving his Jeep around or went hiking. When I made a mistake in explaining some technical stuff, Frank was right there to correct me; and so was I whenever he got something wrong :) I'm very thankful to have had the chance to get to know him (if only online), and I miss him. It's good to know that he left this world his style, that he decided about the when and how. That's Frank!

Thanks so much for letting us know what happened. I'm sure you have a lot on your agenda right now, so thanks for taking the time to post here.

Sadly,

Inga

Frank

by mick2203 - 2013-04-22 04:04:11

I have been a member on here for 3/4 years, but I have not been that active in terms of postings. However, i cant not find the time to log on here and express my deepest sympathies and sadness at his passing.

Frank was without doubt a very cool and important individual to thousands pacemaker recipients around the world. It's been a real privilege to have been educated by him through his enlightening postings.

Mick

John.....................

by Tattoo Man - 2013-04-22 04:04:15


............................It is not often that I find myself at a loss for words.

Your Dad was,..actually still is,.a Hero in my eyes. His knowledge and incisiveness always impressed me. His sense of humour, a match for anyone .

We shared some messages..Boys Stuff..Cars and derring-do antics with electricity

My thoughts are with you John and to the rest of your Family.

Pacemaker Club has lost a great member,..indeed Franks membership endorsed just what a great group of people PMC is...I am sure that he would not have put up with any organisation that was not effective ..( and fun )

Frank is now a PMC Legend and his memory will continue to inspire for a very long time...for me he now has another great quality...

Courage

With my best wishes Bob aka Tattoo Man

FRANK WILL BE MISSED

by pete - 2013-04-22 04:04:54

Poor old Frank always willing to help. We dont have to believe hes gone if we dont want to. He will always be in our thoughts. Good on you frank your one of the best. Peter.

so sorry

by APgirl - 2013-04-22 05:04:40

my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, Frank's humour and wisdom kept me going when I was unsure or needed advise.
he will be sorely missed.

Ap

With love....

by Loopy Lou - 2013-04-22 07:04:12

My love and prayers to you all at this sad time.

Frank was a lovely person and was always full of advice for me over in the UK. A lovely, warm person.... and will be missed.

xxxxx

sorry

by Shell - 2013-04-22 07:04:17

So sorry for your loss.I don't post often but did check in everyday. I enjoyed reading the posts from your dad. He was very knowledgable and I liked his humor. Your family is in my thoughts.

John so sorry for yours and our loss

by walkerd - 2013-04-22 08:04:49

Frank was a special guy, always tried to help so many on here while fighting his own battles but always had the time to help on here with insite or opionions which he had a few lol. He helped me also on here with advice 5 years and off and on thru the years here. Sorry took so long dont get online alot anymore. But take solus in knowing your father helped alot of people get thru alot of tough times, a very giving and good Man.

dave

So very sad

by Janey L - 2013-04-22 09:04:55

I am SO sorry & sad to hear this news. Frank was just amazing & he helped SO many people on here, including me. His passing is a huge loss to his family & to everyone here on PMC. He will be greatly missed by all. Thank you John for taking the time to let us know. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this very sad time.

Best wishes
Janey

Frank told me he would choose his time

by kathykat11 - 2013-04-22 10:04:18

I hope I will be as brave when my time comes. He advised me of various books to read on checking out on your own terms. It sounds like you are at peace with his decision. I have spoken to my kids about the subject and they feel as I do that there is a difference between suicide and euthanasia. I truly feel that Frank got his good death and I am happy to have known him... he will be missed. He was a corker and I am sure you have so many good and funny memories to keep you warm. Be happy there is no pain for him now.
Best always,
Kathy

Sad,sad news,

by sue uk - 2013-04-22 10:04:23

Franks posts were always interesting,no nonsense with a wicked sense of humour.lf you wanted to be "pampered" Frank was not your man if you wanted a honest opinion there was no-one better to give it to you.John thanks for taking the time to let his "family" on the PMC know of his passing.
Sue X

Speechless

by Angelie - 2013-04-22 10:04:51

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I've been communicating with Frank since I arrived here in 2008. I don't hang around here much anymore lately, though, and our last correspondence was late last year.

He was an intregral part of my adjustment to my new pacemaker life, and even helped me beyond that with some of my horrible rhythms and frustration in trying to fine tune my pacer settings. I will never ever forget the days when we used to have fun on here. Supportive, fun, informative and I hate to think how I would've managed this new lifestyle without the group here.

He'll always be someone I admire. So sorry for the loss of your father. He always did seem a bit stubborn and headstrong, but gentle, free-spirited, caring and compassionate. "Go Frank!" He did A LOT of living. So much, I myself wonder if I'll even grasp the amount.

always,
Angelie

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...

by jenny97 - 2013-04-22 10:04:52

John,

Thanks for letting us know. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. May your hearts be filled with comfort, your minds with pleasant memories, and your souls with peace during this difficult time.

I echo what everyone else has said about how much Electric Frank helped us all. He will be sorely missed.

Jenny

Missing Frank :-(

by Sue H. - 2013-04-22 10:04:52

I too am among the friends here who are so sad at losing such a good and supportive online friend. I don't think I would have had such a good recovery if it weren't for your father "slapping me upside my head" as he did often. But I knew he deeply cared and had such empathy for fellow pacers. He taught us all so much about doctors, drugs and pacemakers. He made us question our decisions and to learn to question our doctors' decisions which was always a good thing!

He lived his life the way he wanted to and that is an example for all of us!

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Sue (aka Magster)

Frank

by Bevof NC - 2013-04-22 10:04:57

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You all will be in my prayers. Bev of NC

Will be missed

by nat36 - 2013-04-22 11:04:26

So sad to hear about Frank. As many others have said he was there answering questions and offering support when I first received my pacemaker. He will be greatly missed here!!

A great loss for all

by Many Blessings - 2013-04-22 12:04:06

John,

I am so very, very sorry for the loss of your father. He was a great help to so many of us over the year(s). There is nothing I can write here, that has not already been said above. He is all of that, and so much more.

We will all miss him terribly. I know you and your family will as well.

Thank you so much for letting us all know of his passing. We have all missed his posts and were starting to wonder why we hadn't heard from him lately.

Please know I will keep him and your family in my prayers.

Blessings

With Deepest Sympathy

by Moner - 2013-04-22 12:04:15

Dear John and family,

Your dad was a wealth of knowledge, I feel privledged to have gotten to know him this past year. He really calmed my fear of having my pacemaker, there were a lot of people here at the club wondering where your dad was, my deepest sympathy is with you right now.

I'm sorry he was in a lot of pain, you never would have know it.

He mentioned you mom often and how much he loved her, I found that very touching.

Sadly,

Moner
>^..^<

John

by Pookie - 2013-04-22 12:04:16

Hi. My name is Pookie and I deeply cared about your father. He and I became very very close friends about 6 yrs ago via this site.

My deepest condolences to you & your family.

I am going to miss my dear friend tremendously. We kept in steady contact via here and via personal email. A few years ago your Dad even sent me the book your Mom wrote.

Your father helped me thru a lot of dark times. I am so glad I have saved most of his emails as now I can go back and re-read them when I need support and/or when I need to "hear" his dry humor.

I didn't know he passed until tonight as I have been offline as I just had my left kidney partially removed due to cancer. His last email to me was to update him and I feel so bad that I didn't get the chance because I got my surgery faster than expected - I got in on a cancellation list.

Your Dad and I often spoke about airplanes as my Dad flew one very similar to what your Dad flew. We spoke about everything from pacemakers to toothpicks over the years. And he shared many many many stories about he and your Mom with me.

I will always treasure the friendship that we had.

If you also have access to his private email - and if he saved any of what I sent to him - my real name is Karen and my email address would end with eastlink.ca

I miss my friend already:(

Again, my deepest sympathies to you & your family.

Karen


Sorry :(

by Casper - 2013-04-22 12:04:17

Dear John,

I feel like I just got kicked hard in the stomach, what a loss here at this club.

I will always cherrish the private replies he answered me. He truly helped me along this road, I hope he realized how much he helped all of us here.

Right now I'm sorry for you and your family losing your dad and I will keep you in my prayers tonight.

Thank you very much John for letting us know what happened to your dad, I'm sure it was easy.

Take care and get some rest.

Casper

John, I am so sorry.

by Hope - 2013-04-22 12:04:47

John, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I posted about a week ago asking about your Dad, as it was not like him to not share on site. Sharing is one of the greatest gifts one can give others, and share your Dad did on this site. He will remain in our hearts. May you find comfort in God's love. Hopeful Heart

A Great Man ! ! ~ ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2013-04-23 03:04:31

So sorry for the loss of such a Great Gentleman ~ I have not been on this Site in a few and am just in a state of shock in learning of the passing of a man who meant so much to me in the Pacemaker Club. Frank's educated, experienced advice to me on this Site and on personal messages were my 'Bible'. <3

I found this Site back in May, 2009, scared to death b/c I had not been sick nor in a hospital in 40 years until Afib was found by a heart specialist. When the doctor said, "Pacemaker", I had no clue and/or knowledge of what all the 'in/outs' were of this ~ I was in total shock! ! The Lord led me to this online Site and after reading a few 'Posts' on the site back in 2009, FrankE, Smitty and TraceyE were my main mentors.

Without FrankElectric, many hundreds of people on this Site will share a Great loss, including his very experienced advise to me over the past years and in the future. God Bless such a Great man of wisdom. I will miss Frank more than I ever realized I could. <3

God Bless Frank's Families and Friends and all my Prayers and thoughts to All ~ Love to all,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS <3

Thanks for everyones wonderful comments

by ElectricFrank - 2013-04-23 09:04:16

Being a member of PMC was an important part of my dad's life. It was important to him to help people think critically and to consider every option. His death was no different. He made things as easy on our family as can be humanly possible in such a situation. I love my dad dearly and will miss him but it is comforting to know you all thought so highly of him.

:-(

by kiwigirl - 2013-04-23 09:04:25

Hi John,
so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad.
He was always one of the first people to comment when I wrote in with a question.

he will surely be missed.
R.I.P Frank

Katherine

Thanks Frank

by Shepheart - 2013-04-23 12:04:47

Sorry to hear of Frank's passing. I just read some of his posts from earlier this year. He was a very helpful, interesting and gutsy man. He will be missed indeed.

Sorry about your loss

by MSPACER - 2013-04-24 09:04:35

I haven't been on the site for a while, and I was so sad to see your post. Your dad always gave great advice. He put my mind at ease when I asked a question on getting a replacement pacemaker implanted.

I know everyone on this site will miss him.

My deepest sympathy

by jane32 - 2013-04-25 08:04:08

to you John and your family. I am so sadened to hear of your dads passing. He always had an answer to my questions, it didnt matter how trivial they were,he also made me laugh, which helped as I was adjusting to living with a pm. God Bless you all.

Regards Jane

He will be missed by many

by my4turtles - 2013-04-27 02:04:37

Your dad was one off a kind, funny, smart and always there for us when we had a problem or just needed info he will be missed so much.. Im so sad to see this news today and so sorry for your loss..

CONDOLENCES

by brucenj - 2013-07-24 06:07:10

Have been away from this site, for awhile & just read your notification.

The posts by Electric Frank were great. I appreciated his responses to my concerns when I first posted here. His intelligent comments are missed. God bless.

sad

by JuPage - 2014-07-04 03:07:04

So sorry to hear of Frank's death. He was my first port of contact when I had my pacemaker and all his words helped me accept this tiny box.

Please accept my sympathy and I will always remember this kind man even though we never meet.

Electric Frank

by May52 - 2018-11-03 03:32:38

 I just got my pacemaker 10/4/18 ..  I was looking for a support group and came across one of electric franks posted online, I join this group in hopes to be in contact with him I had a feeling he was full of information and could help with my questions. I just seen that he passed five years ago I’m so sorry to hear that, I can tell from his post he was an amazing person.  My question I guess will be left on answering for now ..  So sorry for the groups lost🙏🙏🙏🙏

 

 

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