FRANKIE "FRANK" BILL SALOFF, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Louise Saloff, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Saturday, September 23, 2023. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday with his family at home where he still lived independently last spring.
Frank is survived by his daughter Catharine (Brian) Schamber of Calgary; and three granddaughters: Grace, Sarah and Victoria Schamber; son Calvin (Cheryl) Saloff of Drayton Valley; Calvin's children: Cpl Denele Saloff of Edgerton, Kaelin of Edmonton and Stefan of Langdon; and brother Stan of Calgary.
Besides his loving wife Louise, Frank was predeceased by his siblings: Barnie and Stevie Saloff and sister Anne Vivian.
Frank was born and grew up in old Coleman. He was the youngest son of hard-working immigrants who worked in the coal mines and raised five children. His mother, Katherine Kisil, was from Poland and father Samuel Saloff from Russia. Frank enjoyed the Crowsnest Pass mountains and all nature and wildlife. In his youth, he worked in the forestry industry before attending NAIT, where he became an electronics technician. He worked for CBC for years, keeping transmitter signals and towers in working order so that everyone in southern Alberta could watch their favorite TV shows. He married Louise in 1984 and was gifted an instant family with two teenagers, Catharine and Calvin. He and Louise were a perfect match. She would talk and he would listen. Frank was a fan of all sports, especially hockey. He was patriotic and was like a book of knowledge for Canadian history. He had a large and fruitful garden each year that could feed a neighborhood.
His wife, Louise, passed away suddenly in April 2021. Frank said he "lost his backbone." He then lived in solitude in the house they had shared for 37 years. He likened being alone to his younger days in the mountains. However, this time, he had TV sports and movie channels and frequent visits from his daughter and granddaughters, who helped to keep loneliness at bay.
We'd like to thank all the people who helped him stay at home as long as possible: LSCO Meals on Wheels and the health care staff who helped these last few months at the hospital and at Legacy Lodge.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. with Father William Monis celebrating.
Following the Memorial Mass, Frank will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Louise in Royal View Cemetery.
