The Return of Frank Franchellini

After 25 years away, Frank Franchellini surprised us all and showed up for the June trip at Lorne Spotswood's Laurentian View Resort in Westmeath, Ontario. Planned weeks in advance, Frank showed up wearing a ball cap and sunglasses and was introduced as Ron's friend "Pooch". It took about 20 seconds for the guys to figure it out and then one by one, there were chants like, "Holy shit! It's Franchellini!" After a few hours of catching up with the boys, Frank settled in for a little fishing and some gambling like he had never missed a trip.

The weather was perfect with not too much heat and no rain, so we had lots of time to fish. Everyone caught lots of fish including the usual cats and sturgeon.

Fishermen and gamblers on this year's trip included Phil Anderson, Curt Bowles, Al Davis, Frank Franchellini, Billy Hum, Warren Kidd, Al Macintyre, Ron Malloff and Ron Zinn. The winner of the fishing trip was Al Davis for the second year in a row with a Northern Pike weighing in at just over six pounds. The winners of the Gamblorama Fest were clearly Billy Hum and Frank Franchellini taking home the big bucks. It seems Ron Zinn won the last few hands on the last evening and will spending quarters and loonies everywhere until at least September.

Lorne and Marjorie Spotswood are always great hosts. Lorne retired from teaching a few years ago and is also slowly winding down his cottage rental business. He did say however, that we are always welcome at the resort, so we will probably be heading back there again in 2008.

More on the guy they call Frank Franchellini

It's been almost 25 years since we saw Frank on a fishing trip. He last attended the 1983 trip at Club Fontbrune: The year 18 guys attended including Eddy Marchand, Dan Silcox, Tom Strumas and Big John Bocking. In the same year, Frank formed the CNRA Brewers softball team which eventually became the Outlaws.

Frank hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him. He still has his signature "slicked" rusty hair and not a spot of grey. Kind of hard to believe because the guy will be sixty on his next birthday. There were some mutterings on the trip from people we will not name that Frank colours his hair.

Those of us who know Frank, knew him from CN and the CNRA. Frank left CN in the late 80's and moved over to System House. He eventually took the package in the early 90's and now works as an IT consultant, mostly for the CMHC in Ottawa. He still maintains his house in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, QC with an apartment in Gloucester, ON.

It seems Frank had a great time on this year's trip and he promises to return for the 2008 trip. Hey Meaney! Are you in?