Frank Major (RIP) 1944 - 2018

Frank Major...he was a top guy - a report by Rob McKenna, 12th November 2018

 

Francis (Frank) George Major MBE, DL, JP. (1944 - 9th October 2018)

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Frank passed away peacefully aged 74 years. He suffered a brain tumor a few years ago but was recovering well from an operation to remove it, so it came as quite a surprise to club members. He was one of the leading NN members in the early days of the club serving for many years as an excellent Club Chairman and figure head for the club. This probably came from his working experience as a local magistrate on the Sunderland Bench and his Executive position with the Port of Sunderland and other bodies he dealt with. He was a quiet, gentle, well-educated, well spoken man but very professional in his approach to all matters he dealt with and always had a kind word to share.

 

His most notable orienteering role however might well have been as coordinator of the inaugural British Orienteering Championships 25th Anniversary event at Hamsterley in 1992.

 

Outside of orienteering he did a lot of work for charities, being a member and past President of the local Round Table, Chairman of Durham County Scout Association, involved with his Livery company, The Shipwrights and supporter of the RNLI amongst many of the other organisations he took an active interest in. He took pride in what he had achieved both during his working days and in the community.

 

A beloved husband to Pat, inspiring father to Esmé and Andrew and grandfather to Max, Laurie, Henry, James and Freya. The Funeral Service was held at St George's Church, Fatfield, Washington on Wednesday, 17th October.

 

Around 20 year’s ago, Frank was profiled in the club newsletter. His closing remarks were… “I think that Orienteering is and probably always will be a minority sport. We must get more younger folk on board, look after them and support their development. The sport is demanding of time and requires a cocktail of skills as well as being a test of stamina, judgement and the grey cells. It is not for the faint hearted, you need commitment, perseverance and tolerance of your own inadequacies and the ability to laugh at yourself when all goes not quite according to plan! Above all, retain the desire to learn something from each outing and be of independent mind and spirit.”