Vancouver’s Commercial Drive comes together to remember brothers Frank and Danse
Posted June 24, 2021 7:10 am.
Last Updated June 24, 2021 7:11 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Two Indigenous men, Frank and Danse, who were known as friendly fixtures of Commercial Drive for years were remembered at an emotional memorial this week.
The community gathered at Grandview Park Wednesday night where music was played and stories were shared.
“It’s really, really hard,” said a tearful Merrilee Phyfiher, the brothers’ sister. “It’s just too much for me right now.”
It was an immensely difficult day for the siblings of Frank “Sonny” Williams and Randy “Danse” Williams, who passed away within weeks of each other.
Frank died on April at 50 years old. Danse died after going into cardiac arrest and ending up in the ICU. He passed on May 27, on what would have been his brother’s 51st birthday.
They were known as the friendly faces who spent years out front of Home Hardware, carving, petting passing dogs, and chatting with their neighbours.
“They always wanted to make people happy, to share their stories, especially with their art — they want to share why they do what they do,” Jack Kibsgaard, the men’s brother, told CityNews.
Frank and Danse were both survivors of the residential school system. They are Nuu-chah-nulth, their mother a member of the Mowachaht First Nation, and their father a member of the Ahousat First Nation.
Their sister says she was always amazed at her brothers’ strength and positivity.
“They taught a lot about forgiving, learning how to forgive, and not hold on to your past. To move forward. Put your past in your past and move forward,” said Phyfiher.
Melanie Mark, the MLA for the riding that includes Commercial Drive, says she loved running into the brothers and having a laugh.
“I know why they sat on the streets — not everyone knows why. They also had homes, and they told me where their home were. And they loved their homes, but they loved sitting on the Drive and harassing people like me. ‘Melanie, what are you doing, get over here!'” she recalled. “I loved those moments, and I’ll cherish those moments.”
Related video: MLA Melanie Mark’s tribute to Frank and Danse
“This is really not surprising. Of course they spoke to everybody on the Drive, you know? I mean, I knew that he knew just about every dog’s name. Even if I was talking to him and puppies would go by, he’d say the dog’s name, so of course he knew their owners,” added Portia Sam, a friend.
The Williams brothers’ family members were overwhelmed by the number of people who came out to show their love and support.
“To see this support is very appreciative, very nice,” said Kibsgaard.
There are plans to erect a permanent plaque to memorialize the two brothers who spent so much of their time meeting new friends outside the Commercial Drive hardware store.
