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| Frank Creaghan (May 27, 1928 – June 25, 2023) |
With sadness we announce the passing of Frank Creaghan who left us peacefully with family at his side at his home in Toronto. Frank is predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Sheelagh (Johnston) Creaghan, his parents Gerald (Dewey) and Nan (MacDonald) Creaghan, his sister Ellen Freeman, and left to mourn by his sister, Mary Hersey and his brother, Michael Creaghan along with many cherished relatives and friends. Frank was a loving husband, first to Sheelagh, and then after she passed too early, Helene Yellowlees. He was a dedicated father to Peter (Nisha), Claire (Marty McConnell), Paul, and Ruth (Sue Thomson). He was an equally proud advocate and cheerleader for his seven grandchildren, Kate, Michael, Jay, Jack, Phoebe, and Charlotte, grandson, Jamie who predeceased him, and great-granddaughter, Blake McConnell. His large presence and unflaggingly optimistic spirit will be dearly missed by family, colleagues and friends at large.
Frank was born and raised in Quebec, and spent his formative years in Montreal where he excelled in many sports. His high school coach and mentor, Andy McGillis, introduced Frank to football, hockey and boxing and then watched with pride as Frank won university boxing championships, and the Canadian Light Heavyweight championship in 1947. Frank loved to share the story about how his boxing opponents became unnerved when they discovered him sleeping soundly right before their matches. Such was his confidence!
After an outstanding athletic career at McGill, he graduated with a B. Comm in 1955 and started his career in the business world with Procter & Gamble, a dream job in the early 1950’s. However, Frank’s feisty, entrepreneurial spirit would eventually lead him to a dramatic career change under his next great mentor, Ralph Simmons, an agency manager at London Life. Ralph’s commitment to economic freedom and autonomy was a perfect fit for Frank, and combined with Frank’s hard work and commitment to excellence, lead to a remarkable first career as a financial advisor promoting economic freedom to his clients. Then, in 1987, at almost 60 years old, and after achieving his own economic freedom, Frank teamed up with his son, Peter, and his son-in- law, Marty McConnell, to start a new career chapter as founding partner at Creaghan McConnell Group. Until his retirement at age 85, Frank fulfilled a long-held dream and became a leading advisor to Canadian business families.
Frank’s true mentor, and love of his life for 52 years, was his wife Sheelagh. They met shortly after she arrived in Canada from Belfast, Ireland, and after a whirlwind romance were married in April of 1957. Peter, Claire, Paul and Ruth arrived soon after. Sheelagh was the perfect partner to Frank’s dynamic and strong-willed spirit. She was warm, loving, and kind to everyone. They helped each other become better over their decades together. Remarkably, as she was dying of cancer, Sheelagh shared with her children that the last ten years of her marriage to Frank were the happiest of all. They were blessed.
Frank was heartbroken when Sheelagh was taken by cancer at the age of 76, but more blessings would be in store for him. In 2012, he met Helene at the Yellowlees annual bridge party in Niagara on the Lake and fell in love again. Frank and Helene were married (eloped!) in 2014 and lived happily together for almost ten years until health challenges overcame them. Frank’s ability to hold court on his favourite topics (economic freedom, Granum, the virtues of self-discipline) will be missed by anyone who has spent time with him at one of his three favourite places, his home of 56 years on Dawlish Ave, his home away from home at the Granite Club, and his beautiful cottage in Burnt Church, New Brunswick.
With Frank’s passing we would like to acknowledge the caring approach and support given, first by his wife Helene Yellowlees as long as she was able, and after by Sharon Robertson of Home Instead. A very special thank you as well to Dr. Jordan Elmalem of the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care.
A private family service in memory and celebration of Frank was held. A Celebration of Life for family and friends is being planned for September. No flowers please, but donations in his honour may be made to Sunnybrook Hospital or the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.