Herbert William Franklin

FRANKLIN, Herbert (Herb) William (retired Peterborough Police Officer)

Suddenly at his residence on Saturday, December 5, 2020 in his 75th year.  Herb was born in Glasgow and at the age of 4 in his wee shorts he immigrated from Scotland with his parents to Canada.  He was immensely proud of his McGuffie heritage.  Beloved husband and soulmate of Susann (nee Gertley) for over 53 years.  Loving cherished father of Robert (Cheryl Bowen) and David (Karen Cymbaluk).  Cherished and proud Poppa of Nathaniel, Abby, Anna and the late James.  Only son of the late Herbert Victor and Carole.  Dearest brother-in-law of Marg and Gerry Hartwick and Sara and Don Elchyson.  Special uncle to Kate, Colleen, Jennifer and Ryan.  Cherished cousin of Janette Wilson in Glasgow.

Herb worked as a Colour Video Technician at CBC Toronto for 4 years especially travelling Canada in 1967 with the CBC crew.  He worked 32 years at the Peterborough Police Services in the positions of general patrol, youth and safety – Elmer the Safety Elephant, Detective, Identification, youth and adult court officer.  He took many youth to the Safety Patrol events in Ottawa.  Upon retirement he served for an additional 12 years with the Ontario Superior Court. 

His service to give back to the community was huge to him. He served on the boards of Peterborough Youth Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Trent Valley Archives, Treasurer – McFee Clan Society of Canada.  He enjoyed singing Bass with many Barbershop groups – Aces of Harmony, Ganaraska Chord Company, Tri City Gospel Chorus, Maple Leaf Chord Company, Oakridge Mixed Chorus, and Grace United Church choir.  In his 47 years volunteering with Scouts Canada, Herb served all sections and in many capacities starting with Group Committee at 11th Knox Peterborough, he supported so many youth to earn their Top Section Awards and mentored many Scouters to achieve their Wood Badge training, was on staff at the World Jamboree in Thailand 2002, Area organizer for Canadian Jamboree 2007, took youth to two CJs in Prince Edward Island and one to Thunder Bay.  In addition to many other awards for all his volunteer work with youth in our community, his final achievement was being awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn in April 2013 for his exceptionally distinguished service to Scouting and the Ontario Volunteer Service Award 2018.  A large number of other awards for all his volunteer work with the youth of our community was received.  He was an active member of Grace United church from the time he was a wee man from Scotland to the larger-than-life man of today.  He was so proud to be a part of 19th Grace Scouting.

There will be a private family celebration of life and interment held at HIGHLAND PARK FUNERAL CENTRE, 2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough.  COVID 19 Restrictions are in place and face coverings are mandatory.  In memory of Herb and in lieu of flowers donations to Grace United Church and Trent Valley Archives would be sincerely appreciated by the family.  Online condolences may be made at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com.

“a hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like….but the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child”.       Unknown