Frank MacInnis
-by Rankin MacDonald
He was a Renaissance man and one who would be a true friend all your life.
Frank MacInnis passed away on Friday night much to the chagrin of Eastern Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Inverness County, and his nest, Creignish.
Last year, Lowney stopped making, for whatever reason, Cherry Blossom bars, a treat that my mother and I would have almost every night. It was her favourite.
I wrote about this when the bar was no more and a few days later Frank landed at the Oran with a Cherry Blossom for me, one of the last on the island.
That’s the way he was. He always went the extra mile to be a good man to all he knew.
The bar will hopefully last forever, as Frank should have done.
Frank was one of the most valuable “movers and shakers” in the county for the past 50 years and what we loved most was the witty, funny, informed chats you could always have with him.
He was a good Tory, but discussions were always held with a glint in his eye.
He, as his obituary said, was a family man, horseman, athlete, big prankster, educator, coach, volunteer, lover of politics and music, and steadfast friend.
Frank had a Masters in Administration and from teaching in elementary school he went on to become the Principal of the Nova Scotia Community College in Port Hawkesbury.
He married Mary Ross in 1972, settled in Creignish, raised six children, and had Mary as his foundation from then on.
He was always coaching or tackling that project hat needed to be done; his leadership was always the key.
Frank travelled the Maritimes in sport, fought for the Gaelic, and had a passion for the race horses.
He was a man who carried his culture in his heart.
Frank was one of those who, after the Vanishing Cape Breton Fiddler aired, helped to revive the culture of Cape Breton, start the Glendale Fiddle Festival as well as the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association.
Wherever he went he brought a light.
Oh, to talk to him once again!
As his friend, former premier Rodney MacDonald wrote:
“I was sadden today to hear of Frankie MacInnis’s passing. I’ve known Frankie for a very long time through music, hockey, community, and of course politics. Many a conversation we had especially as it pertained to music & politics. Frankie was a special person. He understood the importance of community and culture. He understood the importance of preserving what makes us special as a people and as an island while at the same time making sure we were always moving forward. In 1999 Frankie was one of the people who got me to run for politics. Meetings, phone calls, speech ideas, signs, introductions, visits to homes, car drives, parties, and so much more. Most importantly, he was a friend. Someone you could chat with on the toughest of days and on the best of days and he was always the same.
“My heart goes out to Mary, his children, and his family.
“Rest easy my friend. I have no doubt Buddy, Donald Angus, John Morris, Theresa, John, Dougie, Jerry, Father Angus, Father John Angus, and many more have a ceilidh waiting for you, while your many political friends will be there to share in the stories…”