Obituary of Francis Peter Baron

The world lost a great father, husband, partner, brother, friend, and fisherman when Frank Baron died in the early hours of March 11, 2023.

The son of Frank and Jan Baron, Frank started his journey on May 30, 1951; he would come to lead the roost with his five siblings. While fishing would be a lifelong passion, his sons Francis and Jake were the cornerstones of his heart. They, along with his partner Laurie, served as earth angels in keeping him grounded and at home during his final months.

Frank was predeceased by his parents and his wife Helen. He is survived by his sons Francis and Jake, his partner Laurie and his siblings, Theresa (Evan), Karl (Judy), Mark (Linda), Marina (John), and Lisa (Chesley). There is also a flock of cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved and who loved him in return.

The family would like to thank the many PSWs, paramedics, nurses, and doctors who helped Frank during this challenging time.

Frank was a prolific writer and editor, finding a modicum of fame with his book, What Fish Don’t Want You to Know. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in journalism, and while journalism was never his career, you could find his musings in his fishing columns in The Oshawa Times and The Oshawa This Week along with many letters to the editor.

Frank was a product of the 1960’s – long haired, somewhat rebellious, a hitchhiker, music lover (Van Morrison, The Four Seasons, Bruce Springsteen…), experimenter in psychedelia. Once, while travelling with his cousin John Vetzal and friends and looking for work, he told an apple farmer that he knew how to prune trees. He was hired. And fired, a half an hour later. He picked tobacco, tomatoes, and dew worms, living a bit of a vagabond life, much to his parents’ chagrin. Travel took him to a Greek island where he lived in a cave for a couple of months.

His main employment was at the family store, Barons’ Home Furnishings, where he spent equal time kibitzing with his Dad and selling furniture.  

Frank was a lifelong Habs fan – really a bit too rabid! He kept them close to his heart and added the Expos, Blue Jays, and Raptors to the list as they came along.

There was a menagerie of pets that interacted with Frank. Two were especially dear to him, Gryphon and Benny – the cause of many smiles for him and those whom he knew.

Frank’s philosophy on life can be summed up by the last paragraph in his book:

“I will have achieved what I aspire to when I am no longer an interloper on the water. When I walk away from a muddy bank and leave no boot prints. When even a sharp-eyed osprey cannot distinguish me from the rock I am sitting on. When I arrive, and ultimately leave, without snapping a twig or leaving a ripple.”

Mission accomplished.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 20th from 4 - 6 pm at NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME, 53 Division Street North Bowmanville, Ontario.