The former owner of Barrie seafood eateries has died, but his son says his dad left behind many positive memories of a happy life.
Frank Tecklenburg passed away Nov. 30 at the Extendicare Falconbridge Retirement Home he was living in Sudbury.
He was 90 years old.
Tecklenburg was a staple in Barrie with his two seafood restaurants — Barrie Seafoods on Bradford Street and Frank's Seafood on Blake Street — as well as a fish-and-chips truck in the city.
Born in Tilburg, Holland, Tecklenburg immigrated to Canada in April 1952. He married Catharina (Rinie) Hannenberg in 1960 and together they had one son, Frank Tecklenburg Jr. Catharina died in 2009.
Frank Jr. told BarrieToday that he may have to drop the suffix to his name.
“At age 52, it is a bit odd to be a junior,” he said. “I guess with Dad gone, I inherit the full name now.”
Tecklenburg Jr. said his dad passed away from "age" after leading a full life of joy.
“He was always happy and just enjoyed this life of his. He was a member of the Barrie Yacht Club and every Thursday would be out sailing, something he loved to do,” he said.
The Tecklenburgs moved to Barrie from Toronto in 1963 and opened Barrie Seafood in 1964 at 109 Bradford St.
Seafood ran deep in the family bloodlines.
“My great-great-great grandparents were involved with the seafood business, as was my dad’s more immediate family,” said Tecklenburg Jr. “Dad was one of 12 kids and three of them opened seafood restaurants, while my aunt was involved in catering.”
Besides his love of seafood and sailing, Tecklenburg enjoyed playing the piano, something he did for customers at his restaurant.
“There was a piano at the restaurant and it wasn’t rare to see Dad playing it out of the blue for customers,” said his son. “He was definitely the face of the restaurants and everyone loved him.”
Tecklenburg Jr. said that his parents worked at both restaurants together.
“Dad was the front man, but Mom was definitely the brains of the businesses," he said.
The Tecklenburgs lived on Vespra Street from 1963 to 1972 and then moved to Shanty Bay while still operating their eateries.
While there are years and years of countless memories, Tecklenburg Jr. said two in particular stand out to him, with one possibly being a bit of history.
“Two really neat things to know is that when the Los Angeles KIngs practised in Barrie in the 1960s, Dad catered to them. I always found that to be really cool," said Tecklenburg Jr. “And Barrie Seafood may have had the first drive-thru in the city. When they were doing renovations on the building, people couldn’t come in and had to order at one window and drive around and grab from another one.”
While his last few years were spent in Sudbury, Tecklenburg spent most of his retirement between his homes in Innisfil and Florida.
Teckleneburg Jr. said his dad loved Barrie and knows the people here loved him back.
Posts on a Barrie Facebook page from Aug. 25 wished Tecklenburg a happy birthday. The post garnered close to 700 likes and more than 240 comments.
Tecklenburg Jr. said his dad will be missed for many reasons, but understands that in Barrie, many will remember the seafood restaurants and all the joy he brought to the city.
“That is where Mom and Dad made their mark in the community and I see posts on Facebook from time to time of what they meant to people. It's very nice,” he said.
Tecklenburg leaves behind his partner, Muriel Vogel, of Florida; his son Frank (Alexis); his three grandchildren, Jason (Karla), Ashlea (Davin), and Danielle (Scott); four great grandsons, Michael, Connor, Eli, and Lincoln. His sisters Jacqueline Burgering, Mieke Struycken, Jose’ Ghering and two sister in-laws, Han Teklenburg and Anke Teklenburg, as well as many family members live in Holland, Canada, and other parts of the world. He also has numerous friends and acquaintances met over over his lifetime.
Tecklenburg Jr. also gives a sincere thank-you to Marion Quigley, Tecklenburg’s niece, who has been a constant in his Dad’s world for the past few years in Sudbury.
His son also passed along a special thank-you to the staff at Extendicare.
"They have made his time there enjoyable and his last few days comfortable, and for that I am grateful," he said.
Tecklenburg will be cremated and a celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Online condolences can be posted at www.RangersSudbury.com.
