Anorthosite dedicated to John Alan Franklin

In loving memory of John Alan Franklin, Geotechnical Engineer Extraordinaire
February 25th 1940- July 6th 2012.

An 8,000 pound anorthosite (black granite) boulder from River Valley near Sudbury was dedicated in the Peter Russell Rock Garden at the University of Waterloo with friends and family presiding over the event.

The dedication would not be possible without the efforts of many, especially Maurice Dusseault, Tom Palangio and Barry Warner.

John lent his expertise in the development of the foundations of the CN Tower in Toronto, Science North in Sudbury and a harbour at Terra del Fuego, at the tip of South America with Tom Palangio. Maurice Dusseault noted that the only continent John had not worked on was Antarctica.

Kersty Franklin started the memorial celebration by scattering John's ashes on and around the rock.

A formidable intellect
A mighty heart
An attraction to edgy exploits
That are stuff of legend
And the consternation
Of those that loved you.