On Saturday, January 12, 2002, Frank Barnfield, age 71 was taken from us while performing ski patrol candidate training at Christie Mountain.
Frank was born July 16, 1930 in Montreal, Canada. Frank started with the National Ski Patrol in 1946. Due to his job and the traveling he did, he stopped and rejoined on three different occasions; I believe taking and completing the Senior program each time. - Tom Gray.
Art Osvold, was a trainer with Frank and had this to say:
Frank skied with Minnie Dole! He was so proud of that fact. He also patrolled at the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. He kept skiing with the grace of a young man right up until God took him home.
Frank was so at home on the ski slopes. Skiing was a major part of his activities and life. He shared his knowledge of that passion with more people than can be counted. His legacy is one not soon forgotten. Those he taught will go on to share that legacy with others. During the day he worked with the young people who came in large groups from area schools. He thoroughly enjoyed working with the youngsters. He was a part of the National Ski Patrol for many years and spent the last 8 to 10 years at Christie Mountain. His special contribution to our Patrol was the encouragement he offered each person to improve their abilities. On a personal note, he encouraged me to pursue the Senior program and acted as my mentor through the completion of that program. On the morning of Saturday, January 12th, we greeted each other as we had on many Saturdays, making plans to start a training session with this year's new candidate Patrollers. We were able to make some warm-up runs and met at the bottom of the hill. On my ride to the top I noticed Frank with two candidates. As usual he would show them what he expected and would stop to watch. He skied Porcupine (a black diamond run - and his last) with the same grace as always.
Good bye, my good friend and God Bless!
Arthur (Art) Osvold
Patricia Osvold
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