November 18, 1985 – Calgary, Alberta
May 19, 2018 – Bearberry, Alberta
Justin Francis died suddenly as a result of a dirt biking accident on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the age of 32 years. Justin is resting peacefully in the arms of his loving savior Jesus Christ.
Justin worked with his father Keith at Bow Kor Excavating for seventeen years and was a firefighter for Rockyview County.
Justin is the loving husband and best friend of Rachel Francis (nee Amy) and devoted daddy to Kai and Andie. He is also survived by his parents Keith and Laurie Francis; sister and brother-in-law Kayla and Kurtis Hilsabeck; nephews, Tad and Coen Hilsabeck; grandson of Terry and Sharon Moore; son-in-law of David and Dianne Amy; and brother-in-law of Joshua Amy and Nathan Amy. Justin will be dearly missed by countless close friends and family. He leaves behind a legacy of faith and love.
Funeral Services will be held at Centre Street Church “Central Campus” (3900 – 2nd Street N.E., Calgary, AB) on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the church. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to a Go Fund Me page that has been set up to benefit Rachel and the children https://www.gofundme.com/fallen-firefighter-family-support.
In living memory of Justin Francis, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE, AB, T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.
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Rachel, I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss and I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. The magnitude of this tragedy is unbelievable. Find strength in your faith and keep your memories close to your heart.
Justin. You loved to talk about vehicles of all types. People we knew working in the mountains, and your love for the outdoor. Your goofy smile always present, but never bigger than when you were talking about your family. Your pride and love was obvious.
You never had to talk about your experience in the fire hall, your abilitys spoke for you.
Rachel, I have no words to take any of the sorrow any from you and your kids. Just know those that met Justin were impacted by him.
Never be hesitate to call us for any assistance you need
David Hof
Rachel, and family … I am so deeply saddened to hear of the unfortunate accident which took Justin’s life.
Know that I’m thinking of you Rachel and am here to support you anyway I can. Be strong and don’t hesitate to reach out. My thoughts, prayers, and support are with you.
Keith, Laurie,Kayla, and family,
We are so sad to hear of Justin’s accident! Words are so inadequate and we can’t even imagine what your all going through at this time. We cling to the hope of a eternal reunion with those who have gone to meet Jesus before us and what a reunion it will be. May you sense God’s loving arms holding you all at this time and through the coming days. Its obvious that you did an amazing job parenting Justin, as the cute wee boy with the mischievous grin clearly grew up to be a wonderful, loving, man, husband, and father.
Rachel although we have never met, our prayers have and will continue to be said for you and your wee ones as well as for the rest of the Francis family.
Rachel: Words cannot express our feelings for you and your family’s loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. With condolences, Bob and Pat
So saddened by this. Justin is such a kind hearted guy with so much love and life he gave everywhere he went!
We will all miss him dearly.
Praying for you Rachel and family!!
To the Francis/Hilsabeck family,
I was so sorry to read of your tragic loss. May the strength of your family and comfort of your faith guide you through this dark time
I’m praying for you all,
Sarah Bath (nee Baliko)
Dearest Rachael, Rest in the arms of Jesus for that is where Justin is now. Life on earth is precious. Life in Heaven is eternal. Justin lives forever in His Kingdom. Together you have many memories to cherish and share with Kai and Andie.
To the whole Francis family, so sorry about your loss, I’ll always remember the early days in the neighborhood always having a friend since the day we moved to cougar creek. I’ll always remember that smile and the overall happiness about him all the time. I was very happy to stay connected with Justin through all these years and really enjoyed catching up with him recently when I had him blocked by my train in exshaw, I took advantage of these moments to catch up with him while I had him stopped there! Gone too soon that’s for sure and he will be missed. Again my deepest condolences on your loss words can’t express how saddened I am by this whole situation. I’m going to cherish all of the memories I had growing up with such a special person for the rest of my life.
Sincerely, Julien Genereux
We are saddened to learn of your precious loss and offer our deepest condolences. Mike, Marion, Michael &Kathryn.
Keith, Laurie, Kayla, Kurtis, Rachel and kids:
Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for you. We will always remember Justin skiing and constantly looking for air. Whenever he saw us he always had a kind word with us – he was so kind, polite and respectful. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Laurie and family,
Deeply deeply saddened hearing this news. May your memories of Justin live on forever and provide you solace to get through this most difficult time.
Laurie,Keith , kayla and all extended family. I am so very saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Justin. Hold on to each other and remember all the beautiful memories Justin has given you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hugs to you all. Sandy Mcdonald
Dear Sharon and Terry and all Justin’s family. Our hearts ache for your loss. May you soon find comfort and peace.
Justin we had so much fun over the years… you are gone way too soon we will all miss you so much…. sending condolences to your family. May you Rest In Peace
I hope your memories of Justin and your strength as a family help you through this incredibly difficult time. My heart aches for all of you.
Laurie,Keith, Kayla and family,
My heart has been aching for you since I heard of this tragic accident. It is incomprehensible that Justin’s young life was taken so early. Please know I have been praying for your family as you go through the difficult path of grieving and healing. Nothing I can say will take this pain away but know that Justin was an amazing spirit who left this world a better place. My sincere thoughts to his beautiful young family who will always carry his spirit in them. Hugs
My heart breaks for all of you. Justin was a wonderful person and a beautiful soul. May your memories carry you through this very tough time.
Laurie, Keith, Kayla and extended family,
Thinking of all of you in this time of grief, I remember teaching him in grade 6 how to sew he was one of my favourite. Always a smile and enjoyed everything he did. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Rachel;
I was so very sad to learn about Justin’s accident. I didn’t know him but it is abdunantly apparent what a dear soul he was. My heart is heavy for you; please accept my sincere condolences.
Our sincere condolences on hearing of your loss…
Elia and Doug Buchanan
Oakville ON
Dear Rachel….We are deeply saddened by the loss of Justin and extend our deepest sympathy to you, those two special little boys and the rest of your family. Even though we live in Nipawin, Sask. we have been a part of C3 since it started as Pastors Lorne, Kelly & family are our special children. Please know that our thoughts & prayers will be with you tomorrow and in the days to come. Maybe, we’ll have the pleasure of meeting you at one of C3 services but until then keep those wonderful memories dear to your heart. In prayer, Jennifer & Roland
An absolute LEGEND has passed from this earth to the next! Cannot even wait to dance with Jesus with you Justin! and to Rachel, Kai and Andie…we will support you in prayer and in any tangible ways we can! We love you and are so thankful to have watched yours and Justin’s love grow for each other and for Jesus. What an incredible legacy you and Justin have created in making and raising those boys! Rachel, you are a warrior, a princess of the King! I am so glad to call you friend! xoxoxo -Kristin Anderson (Stilwell)
My sincere sympathy to Sharon, Terri and their family at this time of such sorrow and heartbreak. My prayers are with you for God’s comfort, peace and strength as you cope with this loss to your family. He is on the throne and in spite of everything is still in control. Love to you both.
Thinking of all of you during this tragic loss of Justin. Our family has so many memories of time spent with Justin at our ski chalet and in Canmore. He was always so funny and energetic, always up for a challenge, adventure and a good laugh. Such a skilled, talented and compassionate person. He will be missed very deeply. Sending lots of love, prayers, and peace. “The Schaffers”.
Dear Keith, Laurie, Kayla, Rachel, the kids and family, please know you have been in my thoughts and prayers non-stop. Sorry I cannot be at the service today but the rest of the Griffith clan will be there and I will continue to lift you up in prayer. My Dad said that one thing he loved about Justin that made him so beautiful is how he took life by the horns and rode it. I pray God will hold you close.
Love, Heather Friesen (nee Griffith)
Dear Keith, Laurie, Kaila, and family,
I want to express my deepest condolences on the tragic loss of Justin. I was so saddened to hear of his passing, way too soon. I have so many cherished memories of growing up with you guys in Cougar Creek, Justin, Kayla, Julien and I had so many great times together. All of you are in my thoughts and I am sending all my loving thoughts your way.
Sincerely,
Marie-Hélène Biggy (Genereux)
Our sympathy and condolences are with you Keith and your family. It is a tragedy and a very unfortunate accident. Take care and will talk one day.
Ken
Rachel and family,
I was so sorry to hear the tragic news of Justin’s passing. Rachel – I know that your strength of character, perseverance and optimism will see you through this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Les
Our deepest sympathy to the Francis families and Rachel and family , our hearts are broken knowing another wonderful person has been taken way to soon, our prayers and thoughts are with you all in this very difficult time, Jim and Sandy Kinch and family
Keith, Laurie, Rachel and extended Francis family,
Sending you all sincerest condolences for your loss of Justin. We hope all your wonderful memories warm your hearts in the difficult days ahead. Laugh a little, cry a little and smile as you look back on Justin’s life; cut short but so well-lived. God Bless.
Laurie, Keith and family,
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Extending deepest sympathy, for you in your loss. And hoping, too, that comfort and peace may come to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Keith and family
My sincerest condolences on your loss. I didn’t know Justin for all that long but didn’t need to to see what a great young man he was. Keith I have known you for many years and can’t imagine what you are going through. He was one smooth operator on the heavy equipment and I’m sure he was in every aspect of his life you taught him well. My thoughts are with you
Dear Kevin and Laurie- we were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Justin’s passing. Our deepest sympathy is extended to you and his family. We enjoyed getting to know you at Trailside Lodges. Please accept our condolences and we wish you all the strength to bear this tragedy and see the sunshine again. With love from David and Betty Pizzey, Canmore. AB
Keith, Laurie and family –
So sorry to learn of your tragic loss. We can only hope as time passes, you’ll be able to cherish with a smile the fond memories he left behind.
Laurie , Sending loving prayers to you and all your family .
I am heartbroken to hear of this tragedy. My deepest condolences to all of you in this time. Somehow through these darkest of days, I pray you are able to find some comfort and peace, and may grace be with you.
Keith, Laurie and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Please accept our condolences.
Hi Laurie,
Just attended another young man’s funeral this weekend and thought if you and the months that have followed Justin’s death. He’s not forgotten, nor are you, Keith and Kayla and your grandkids. Just wishing you strength in the undoing journey.