Rev. Francis J. Hawkshaw, sfm

1927–2009

By Fr. Frank Hegel, S.F.M.
September/October 2009

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Fr. Francis James Hawkshaw died at 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Providence Centre in Scarborough, Ontario. He was 82 years of age. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Ellen Hawkshaw, his sisters Betty (Hawkins) and Helen (Burke) and his brothers, Fr. Jack and William.

Fr. Frank Hawkshaw spent nearly 50 years as a missionary in Japan.

Born in Toronto on February 9, 1927, Fr. Hawkshaw, received his elementary education at St. Anne’s and St. Joseph’s Separate Schools in Toronto and attended De La Salle High School on Bond Street and in Oaklands. Following high school he entered St. Francis Xavier seminary in preparation to becoming a missionary priest with the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society.

Fr. Frank was ordained on December 8, 1954, by Bishop Kenneth Turner. Following his ordination, he was sent to Japan and served there for nearly 50 years in various Scarboro parishes, including Sasebo, Mizunami, Osaka, Nagasaki, and parishes in Tokyo. He also served a term as regional coordinator. Fr. Frank and other Scarboro priests were instrumental in introducing the first credit unions in Japan.

From 1965-1970 Fr. Frank was called home to Canada to serve as bursar and assistant spiritual director at the Society’s seminary in Scarborough. Before returning to Japan in 1970, Fr. Hawkshaw spent a year at the Toronto Institute of Pastoral Training. He also spent a year in Ottawa obtaining his degree in theology. In 2002, Fr. Frank retired and returned to Canada to live with his previously retired brother, Fr. Jack Hawkshaw, until his brother’s death in 2007.

Fr. Hawkshaw participating in the Japanese tea ceremony.

A humble, cheerful person, Fr. Frank was a very pastoral missionary, always interested in reading and discussing the latest ideas in theology and evangelization. His gifts of compassion for others and support for his fellow missionaries were always evident.

Fr. Frank’s wake was held at Scarboro Missions on Friday, May 15, 2009. Fr. John Carten, General Councilor of Scarboro Missions, presided. In attendance were many friends, Scarboro members and staff. The Mass of the Resurrection was offered on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at 10:30 am, presided by Fr. Mike Traher, Vicar General of Scarboro Missions. Fr. Alex MacDonald, another long-time missionary to Japan, delivered the homily. In his will, Fr. Frank requested to be cremated and to have his ashes buried beside his mother and father at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill, Ontario. May he rest in peace.

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