Howard Clifford Frotten

Howard Clifford Frotten

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Howard Frotten.

Howard Frotten was born in Digby Nova Scotia on January 25, 1951, to parents Clifford Joseph Frotten and Madeline Gertrude Tingley. He moved to Meaford, Ontario as a young boy to work in farming with his Father. He came to the Yukon in 1970, at 19 years old. He said he tried to leave many times but he never quite could. He told wild stories of the Yukon in the 70’s. He had many loves through the years and had children with a few of them. Having Lonnie with Marlene, Aaron and Amanda with Jan, and Will with Theresa.

He settled down with Shelagh in the late 80’s. They were married in 1988 and they made quick work of adding to the pile of kids Howard already had with Jessica and Megan. During Jessica and Megans younger years, in the winter when the work would slow, he would kick dad mode into high gear. Making his signature peanut butter, honey, and jujube sandwiches for lunches and doing school pickup in a dog sled.

Once his children were grown, Howard’s many grandchildren brought him tremendous joy. They were gods reward for not killing your children. He loved to tease and roughhouse with them. It became a right of passage to be run over by the quad. 3 cries and you’re out of the game. I like to think it toughened us all up.

After Shelagh passed away in 2013 he went on a wander across Canada, just him and Bob the dog. He needed to see all of his people.

In 2014 he met “Sweet Tee” and they had some great adventures together. We are so grateful he found Theresa to offer him that companionship. She got him farther out of his comfort zone than anyone, all the way to Jamaica.

Howard wore many hats throughout his working life. He was a hunting guide on horseback, a miner, metal worker, plumber, water technician, poured concrete and built houses. He was a master at growing everything. His greenhouse was like walking into a jungle and the outside beds had cabbages bigger than your head! He could really do anything but was very humble about his vast skillset.

When he retired he quickly realized retirement was not for him. He took on maintaining the ball diamonds. He saw them through many big tournaments, and was always proud of getting the park ready for the world stage. He met many friends there through his love of baseball. When the ballpark came to an end for him, and his retirement got boring again he found the Yukon wild horses society, and that brought his cowboy spirit so much joy. He decided himself a champion for those horses, a relic of different times just trying to exist in the current landscape. I think our dad was a lot like those horses. He was a Yukon legend. He was many things to many people. To us he was our dad and we’ll miss him forever.

Howard is survived by his mother, Madeline Wills, his brothers Ed Frotten(Ferne) Robert Wills(Shelley) Joe Frotten (Melissa) and sisters Darlene Frotten and Debbie Frotten-Martin(Dave) His children Lonnie Mackler(Tina), Amanda Frotten, Aaron Frotten(Emilie), Will Frotten, Jessica Frotten(Ben), and Megan Frotten(Skylar) His step children Andria(Denys) Geoff, and Greg Pedlar (Jen). His grandchildren Erika, Tarin, Nycole, Madison, Trevor, Kahlan, Jacob, Ryder, Jacob, Greyson, Anna, Declan, and Toryn Howard. Great grandchildren Bently, Hayzel, and a couple more on the way.

He is predeceased by his father Clifford Frotten, sister Linda Frotten, wife Shelagh Boyle-Frotten, and his granddaughter Isabel. He has countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members, biological and otherwise.

We would like to thank EMS, the Whitehorse RCMP, and the Yukon coroners services for their tenderness and care in attending to our loss. We would also like to thank everyone for reaching out, sharing stories, and genuinely loving our dad.
In honour of Howard, in lieu of flowers, we invite friends and loved ones to celebrate his life by making a donation to the Yukon Wild Horses Society in his name. Your gift will help continue the work that Howard cherished. Protecting and monitoring the Yukon’s wild horses, supporting the volunteer field teams, and ensuring these magnificent creatures can roam safely for generations to come.

Visit www.yukonwildhorses.com to donate or by mail at: Yukon Wild Horses Society
Box 288, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A-5X9

May your horse never stumble, may your cinch never break, your belly never grumble, and your heart never ache.

A service is planned for June 13th, 2026 at Mt Lorne Community center in Howard’s old stomping grounds at Annie Lake. Mark it on your calendars, more details to come.