Brad Hall was on council with Mayor Franklin for 12 years. He recalls Franklin’s steady leadership was really called upon especially during the flood years (2005, 2007, 2011, 2014) and during the amalgamation of the Town of Deloraine and Rural Municipality of Winchester. As well, Franklin took on a leading role on the Flying the Flags of the World committee, dedicating many years to the project.
“Brian was so dedicated and selfless. There was always so much he did behind the scenes or awards he received that we didn’t know about until long after it was done. He always had your back and valued everyone’s opinion.”
Gord Weidenhamer, current Reeve of the Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester said Franklin mentored him during their time together on council. That was at the time of the amalgamation, 2014-2018.
“I was very new to everything and Brian brought experience to each situation. If I was stuck on a problem he always communicated well. We would talk things out and Brian’s calm demeanour helped to arrive at solutions. He took on projects with a big heart. He was easy to be around and will be so missed.”
He started teaching in 1966 at Virden Jr. High, returning to Deloraine to teach in 1969 and becoming vice-principal in 1978. The last 15 years of his career were spent as principal of Deloraine Collegiate until his retirement in 2002.
“Brian was an outstanding principal. He got the best from his teachers and students. He had high expectations and challenged people but always in a respectful manner,” said Bob Caldwell former Deloraine teacher.
Doug Whiteside, another former teacher and administrator at Deloraine School said that as a school administrator Franklin led by example.
“He would never ask a teacher to do something he wasn’t prepared to do himself and was always ready to devote his own time to coaching or organizing extra curricular activities for students despite juggling a tremendous number of other responsibilities outside of the school.
“He was accessible to students and staff; always prepared to listen, give advice and advocate for them if necessary. Students and staff alike felt comfortable confiding in him but also respected his role within the building. Many of the same people became life-long friends of Brian’s outside of school.”
Whiteside added that Brian’s time as administrator took place at a very difficult span of time for education in rural areas with declining enrolments and tighter budgets. The result of this was extremely difficult decisions in terms of programming and staff cutbacks.
“Brian was always prepared to make the tough decision and to live with the consequences even though they were not always popular.”
“His time as principal was also hallmarked by the rapid evolution of technology in the school system and while he would be the first to say he was not tremendously ‘tech-savvy’, he recognized the importance of technology in the school and did his best to promote such with budget allocations, programming and staffing,” added Whiteside.
Franklin was involved in the hockey world from an early age as a player and referee. As Bob Caldwell said, Brian has left his footprint on the hockey world locally, provincially and nationally.
“He coached/managed minor hockey in Deloraine as well as officiated across the province.”
Franklin served on the Deloraine Royals senior team executive and he was instrumental in the formation of the AAA U18 league and later became president of the organization. For 27 years he served on the Hockey Manitoba Board as a senior representative, vice president and president.
“Brian had the innate ability to solve controversial problems. He listened, respected people’s opinions and made fair decisions,” added Caldwell.
Through the years many awards were presented to Franklin, including the Frank McKinnon volunteer award, honourary lifetime membership in Hockey Manitoba and the Hockey Canada Award of Merit.
“His opinion on hockey issues was valued Canada-wide,” concluded Caldwell.
Franklin will be missed in the community, but he left a solid legacy and good foundation to follow going forward.
He was predeceased by his first wife Claudia. He is remembered by his two children, Tony (Val), Carrie (Rod), his current wife Val and five grandchildren.
Brian Franklin was 74.