Obituary of Frank Oliver Bezanson

With great sadness, the family of Frank Oliver Bezanson, 92 of Berwick, announce his passing on January 16, 2020 in the Grand View Manor. Born on February 5, 1927, he was the son of the late Arthur Elroy and Mary Gertrude Bezanson in Berwick, Nova Scotia.

Frank attended Horton Academy and eventually graduated from the Maritime Business Academy in Halifax in 1948. He returned home to run the Berwick Bakery, which his parents had founded in 1927. He worked alongside his older brother, Gerald until it was sold to Eastern Bakeries in 1967. Under the management of Gerald and Frank, the bakery continued the family tradition of supporting Berwick sports teams, contributing to the upkeep of Rainforth Park and assisting in other Town of Berwick initiatives. In recognition of their support, the Bezanson Family, A.E., Gertrude, Gerald and Frank, were inducted into the Berwick Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 (http://www.berwick.ca/sports-hall-of-fame-1/2016/8/11/ae-bezanson-and-family-builder). After retiring from the Bakery, Frank sold insurance for the Kings Mutual Insurance Company.

Although an avid traveler, Frank lived in Berwick his entire life. Along with Joan, he travelled from one end of North America to the other visiting family and seeing the vast sights. In 1972, he took his family to England and Scotland. Frank and Joan spent winters Florida later in life.

Frank loved animals; he owned horses and dogs as a young man and could be seen walking his grand puppy through Berwick up until his health no longer allowed. He had a green thumb and shared the bounty of an extensive vegetable garden with many members of the community. Frank and Joan were skilled dancers and they loved the big band sounds of the 1940’s and 1950’s. Beyond being a competent baker, it was his duty to make bake beans every Saturday of his married life.

Frank was a member of the Berwick Lion’s Club and the Berwick Curling Club. He chaired the Berwick Board of Trade for two years starting in 1959. He was also a town councillor for The Town of Berwick. Frank was a strong supporter of Berwick Gala Days and could be seen selling hot dogs on the grounds in his baker’s hat.

He will be forever missed by his family and we will remember his infectious smile and laugh.

Frank is survived by his loving wife Betty Joan (Banks). They were married in 1950 and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on May 5th, 2020. He is survived by his children Ric (Kathy), Mary Susan, Nancy Lee and Birdie Jane. Frank is also survived by his brother Gerald, nephews Greg (Pat), Peter (Patricia) and Danny (Sandy) and his sister-in-law Iris (Schrier)) Banks and her children, Paul (Eugenia), Danni (John) and Jenny (Pat). Frank has nine grandchildren: Laurie (Graham) Guard, Lacey (Tom) Johns, Hazen and Joanie Murray, Jana (Costa) Kreakakos, Devon Bezanson, Nick (Jen) Bezanson, Meagan (Kenny) MacDonald, and Matthew (Heather) Sinclair. Frank’s seven great grandchildren brought a smile to his face until his last days: Ella and Ryann (Laurie), Dallas and Knox (Meagan), Juno and Frankie (Lacey), Ellis (Jana), and Rosie Katherine (Nick). He will be forever missed by his family; we will remember his infectious smile and laugh and his generous, loyal nature.

The family would like to thank the Grand View Manor for their kindness and dedication.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 2:00 pm in the Berwick Baptist Church. Reception will follow service in the Church Annex. Family Flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Berwick Baptist Church or the Grand View Manor.   Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Berwick Funeral Chapel, 192 Commercial Street, Berwick, NS, B0P 1E0 (902-538-9900).