The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 109 FRANCIS, Emile WWII Emile was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan on September 13, 1926. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1945. Emile was well known throughout the province, his hockey and baseball roots stemming from North Battleford. Francis played his junior hockey career with the Moose Jaw Canucks and from there joined the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Chicago Blackhawks at the age of twenty. In goal from 1947 to 1950, his quick reflexes earned him the nickname “The Cat”. Retiring in 1960, Francis coached and managed baseball. During his years with the North Battleford Beavers, the club won six Western Canada championships and represented Canada in the Global World Series in Milwaukee. From 1965 to 1975, Emile was head coach with the New York Rangers, followed by seven years with the St. Louis Blues as executive vice-president, general manager and coach. In 1983, he moved to the position of president and general manager of the Hartford Whalers, where he stayed until 1988. FRANCISCONE, Antonio “Tony” WWII Tony was born in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1922. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in October 1940 in Regina and served with 100 Squadron during the Second World War. He trained at No. 2 ITS, No. 15 EFTS, and No. 2 BGS. Tony completed a tour of night bombing sorties operating with conspicuous ability over heavily defended targets in western and northern Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) on January 10, 1944. He went on to be an instructor and achieved the rank of F/O. He was also awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasps, War Medal 1939-1945 and the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve Badge. Tony passed away in the United States in 1995. FREISS, Peter “Pete” WWII Pete was born on May 5, 1921 near Torquay, the son of George and Monica (Schelling). His siblings were George, Tony, Matt, Ralph, Allie, Tillie, Mary and Pauline. Pete attended Munro School north of Frobisher. The family moved to a farm north of Rockland School. Pete joined the Army at the age of seventeen and served in the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War. In 1941, he enlisted in the S.S.R. and later transferred to Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He saw most of his overseas duties in Europe. While stationed in Scotland, he met Margaret McGuire, who was also serving her country in time of war, and married her. Their first daughter Monica was born there. After the war was over, Pete was discharged in November 1945 and returned to Canada, he settled in Torquay for a while then moved to Timmons, Ontario where he worked in a nickel mine for about seven years. They moved to Frobisher which was their home for eight years. Pete worked as a mechanic for Jim Richardson in the 1950s and 1960s. Five of their children attended school in Frobisher. He retired in Virbank.
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