Barrie philanthropist Frank Nelson has passed away.
He was 61.
The man who battled cancer for several years and made it his mission to help others died at home early Friday morning from an infection, according to his daughter Cindy Thompson.
Nelson is survived by his wife Ruth, daughters Cindy and Jennifer and four grandchildren.
Thompson remembered her father as a man who was always generous and kind throughout his entire life, a side of him that became public in recent years with his Paying It Back campaign.
"He told us that the most important thing he wants to get across is that life will always go on. The message and impact that we leave for the younger generations is what's going to shape the world. He said if we try to make a difference now, if we try and show each other kindness now, it's going to teach the future generations to do the same. He said 'as much as my journey is done, I hope that the legacy of kindness and giving to others continues,'" said Thompson.
"He said 'that would be something that would honour my legacy.'"
The former corporate executive was told in October 2013 that he had less than a year to live after a previous bout with cancer returned as incurable.
Nelson retired from a 30-year career and wondered what he was going to do with his life while having regular rounds of chemotherapy to keep the cancer at bay.
He started watching talk shows and was inspired by Ellen Degeneres.
"When I saw what she did for people, bringing them out, surprising them, helping them get through a very tough time. I thought my god she's got the best job in the world. I said 'Gee I can't do what she does but maybe I can do a mini version'," he told BarrieToday in 2016.
And that's when he decided he wanted to give a $1,000 to a stranger who was going through a tough time.
His daughter posted the idea on Facebook and it took off. In the first two weeks Nelson had 38 submissions for the $1,000 and 500 Facebook members.
He never stopped and was was planning an e-bike journey next year, a trip he was supposed to make with close friend John Ironside.
"An absolutely incredibly brave human being. And the biggest heart of any human being I've ever known," Ironside told BarrieToday Friday evening.
In the past few weeks, Cindy said her father took a step back from his public deeds to focus on his family.
A celebration of life is planned for next week but details have yet to be finalized.
Thompson knows there will be public grieving for the man who touched so many lives. But she is also remembering her dad and another side that was not widely known.
"He was very goofy. With the kids he would sing songs and sing the wrong words on purpose to make us laugh. He just had a very full-of-life, playful fun side that I don't think a lot of people knew. I'll miss that," she said through tears.
Since his dire cancer diagnosis in 2013 when he was told he only had one year to live, Nelson got to see the births of three of his four grandchildren and renew his marriage vows with Ruth.
Thompson says the Paying It Back Campaign and opening a Community Give and Get for the less fortunate kept her father alive.
It was time cherished by his family and Nelson, who left a message about kindness for us all, relayed by his daughter
"My journey might be over but my vision and what I wanted for the world doesn't have to be. Everybody has it in them."
Here is just a sample of some of the tributes for Frank Nelson on social media:
'One of the nicest people I ever met. Sincere condolences to Cindy Thompson, Ruth and Jennifer. Rest In Peace Frank Nelson. Heaven has a new shiny star to watch over us all XO'
'My beautiful friend Frank Nelson passed away last night. He was an angel to our family when Denzel was sick. We were honoured to be one of Frank's families and his generosity still rings in our hearts.
We will miss you Frank...a bright light - dimmed and gone too soon'
'Frank was such a wonderful man. My condolences to Cindy and her family in this sad time. Frank was an inspiration, being a kind person always considering others needs over his own. The city has lost a truly wondrous individual.'
'He did so many amazing things. Rest now dear Frank.'
'He was definitely an angel to many.'
