A pillar in the Manitoba sports community passed away Sunday afternoon. Frank McKinnon was the Principal of Carman Collegiate from 1964 to 1992, at which time he retired from teaching.

Mr. McKinnon was inducted in the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 as an all round builder in sport. He began his career as a player in the Brandon area, participating in hockey, track and field, football and fastball. Mr. McKinnon, with a 32 year career in education, maintained his commitment to community and family while at the same time sustaining a close relationship with hockey.

In 1974, he was a member of the committee that organized the first World Junior Hockey Championship, and at the same time was a member of the Congress of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

The highlights of his outstanding building career include being chairman of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, two years as director of the Sports Federation of Canada, vice president of the same organization and four years as vice president of the Canadian Olympic Association.

The former principal of the Carman Collegiate was a member of the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association executive for over 20 years including one term as president. He was a founding member of the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association (MHSAA). Mr. McKinnon also served as president of the Carman-Dufferin Minor Hockey Association and coached provincial championship teams in basketball, baseball and hockey as well as other sports. As well, Mr. McKinnon was involved with local service clubs, the Carman Community Band and was a director of the church choir.

Mr. McKinnon was successful in the many ventures he undertook, had been the Commissioner of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) for 10 years starting in 1992.  He was inducted into the Brandon University and Manitoba Hockey Halls of Fame as well.

McKinnon was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2014.