Memorable Manitobans: Frank Donald Cielen (1931-2013)

Firefighter, community activist.

Born at St. Boniface on 14 January 1931, he attended Isaac Newton School, Red River College, and University of Manitoba. Prior to joining the Winnipeg Fire Department in 1957, he was a Journeyman Machinist at the Canadian Pacific Railway. He served on the Winnipeg Fire Department for 37 years, retiring as Deputy Chief of Operations in 1994. He served for 22 years with the Fire Rescue, and as Chief Fire Prevention Officer, Deputy Chief of Support Services, and a member of the National Fire Chiefs Association. He did weekly fire safety broadcasts on CJOB Radio, and local educational television shows, for which he was awarded the National Distinguished Service Medal.

Following retirement, he was Chair of the Provincial Building Standards Board. An active scout leader, he was a Life Member and Past President of the Canadian Polish Athletic Club, and served on the Executive of the St. John Cantius Fraternal Aid Society. He was Mayor of the Krakow Polish Pavilion at Folklorama and was a member of the Folk Arts Council. The Canadian Polish Congress awarded him its Gold Medal of Merit for promoting Polish culture.

He died at Winnipeg on 2 July 2013.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 6 July 2013.

We thank Frances Kasper for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 3 June 2024

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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