Timothy Murray Frayn
Oct. 11, 1948 – April 14, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Timothy Murray Frayn at Rocky Mountain House, Alta., on April 14, 2026. Tim was born Oct. 11, 1948, in Calgary, Alta. He experienced a rural, farm upbringing as a child and later moved to Drumheller as a teenager, where he met Pat Ferguson, his future wife, in high school. Tim and Pat were married in 1968 and began a “most excellent adventure.” Together they were bold, adventurous and hard working. 

Tim always believed that education, hard work and family were the keys to success. He could envision the future while working incredibly hard in the present. He applied his unstoppable determination to everything he did, including managing his COPD diagnosis. 

  In their early life together, Tim and Pat ran a service station business in Drumheller and then moved north to Fort McMurray. He acquired his Red Seal tickets in automotive and heavy-duty mechanics, as well as welding, all the while working his way up to become the manager of Diversified Transportation at the age of 26.

He could always make something out of nothing, and he honed this skill as they began their next chapter, beginning in 1980 when they moved their kids, pets and everything they owned to Rocky Mountain House to begin building their dream log home on their quarter-section west of Rocky. Tim and Pat applied their incredible work ethic, craftsmanship skills and meticulous attention to detail to create a home as unique as them. And they did all of it in the hours that were left over after working all day creating another successful mechanical business of their own, only recently retiring and closing out Ghost Pine Mechanical Ltd in 2023.

No one did things the way Tim did and whatever he was doing, he worked hard. Even his leisure activities required work — whether it was tuning up his Argo before hunting and fishing trips or building pack boxes for horse trips into the mountains. Tim could solve any problem that materialized. He could also fix anything, always providing a unique experience was one of his special gifts. He could make the ordinary, extraordinary. Tim was determined and confident enough to persevere through anything as it arose.

His intelligence and wide-ranging interests connected him to many different people throughout his life. He was generous with his time, energy and knowledge. He found joy in mentoring others, whether it was about engines, craftsmanship, business or music — especially music.

Music was a part of Tim throughout his life. He was a self-taught lead guitar player primarily, but there was not a stringed instrument that he couldn’t play. Tim played in various bands ever since he was a teenager, but he had the best experiences playing music with Pat. She sang and played as well — first the drums and then, later, rhythm guitar. Together they played on the radio and TV as well as stages all around central Alberta, B.C., Montana, Idaho, and in 2013 they provided entertainment for Via Rail passengers all across Canada and back.
Although Tim enjoyed entertaining audiences, he got the most joy out of mentoring others as they were learning. Tim’s guitar skills and positive encouragement could make a person feel and sound like a real musician, even if they could only play two chords.

Tim passed his love for music on to his children and grandchildren. Nothing would make him happier than when the family was gathered to sing and play music together.

Tim is survived by his loving wife, Pat, of 58 years; their daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Peter van Tol of Rocky; and their son, Ken Frayn, of Canmore; their granddaughters, Averyanna van Tol of Cochrane and Jaylyn van Tol of Calgary; and grandson, Lucas Frayn of Canmore.

Following Tim’s wishes, no service will be held. If you would like to donate in Tim’s name, donations can be made to the Red Deer SPCA and the R.O.A.R. Society in Rocky.

Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.

Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.