Francis Kenney Tindall
Photo
Francis's obituary
DR. FRANCIS KENNEY TINDALL
January 4, 1940 - January 15, 2023
Dr. Francis Kenney Tindall, 83, of Phoenix passed away peacefully at home on January 15, 2023. Frank was born on January 4,1940 to Mary G. Kenney and Francis G. Tindall Sr. of Syracuse, New York.
After Frank graduated high school, he went on to Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics in 1964. He proudly played football for Queen’s University and was coached by his father. Following in his father’s footsteps he became the head football coach of the Royal Military College (1963-1964) and also earned All Canadian End recognition.
During the 1961 Yates Cup Championship game against McGill he was tackled and fractured his cervical spine, which became his inspiration to be a doctor. He went on to be president of his Medical class in 1967 and graduated from Queen’s University School of Medicine in 1968. As an Orthopedic resident in Kingston, Ontario he created the first sports medicine clinic in Ontario and also organized the first medical coverage for high school football games in Ontario. In 1974 Frank started his medical practice in Brockville, Ontario Canada, where he established the first orthopedic practice for the region.
He moved to Phoenix Arizona in 1985 where he established Arizona Bone and Joint Specialists that focused on orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Frank quickly entrenched himself in the community and joined forces with Scottsdale Mayor, Herb Drinkwater to connect Kingston Ontario and Scottsdale Arizona as Sister Cities. He also worked with numerous sports teams, including Arizona State University, the Arizona Coyotes and also served on the anti-doping board for the U.S.A. Track and Field Association.
In 1993, Frank met Heather and they fell fast in love, traveling the world, sailing, scuba diving and wine tasting. They married on November 9, 1996 at sunset in their backyard and combined their families bringing together Frank’s three children, Heather, Christopher and James with Heather’s three children, Zachary, Renee and Allie. Together, Frank and Heather were active on the John C. Lincoln board, helping to raise money annually for various charities.
In 2020, Frank retired after almost 50 years in medicine and spent his remaining time hosting friends and family, strumming his banjo, telling Dad jokes and soaking up Arizona sunsets with his wife Heather and dog Penny. He took his last trip to La Jolla, California for well needed family time and one last ocean sunset.
Throughout his life, he notoriously cracked jokes with his grown children, made silly faces with his grandchildren, and even pulled some light-hearted pranks on the nurses. He had a great ability to make others smile and his sense of humor will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Heather Tindall Sr., six children, Heather Jr., Christopher, James, Zachary, Renee and Allie. He is also survived by his brother Chuck Tindall and his wife Linda along with his nephew Ian and niece Jen. Papa is also survived by eight grandchildren, Kylie, Maddie, Parker James, Regan, Hunter, Nick, Kenley and Emma. Frank was predeceased by his parents, Mary (1992) and Francis (1993).
A husband, father, grandpa, surgeon, football legend, banjo player, joke teller and cigar aficionado. His laugh and spirit will be sorely missed by his family and friends and the thousands of patients he worked with over his medical career.
A celebration of his life is being planned in Phoenix, Arizona & Kingston, Ontario Canada. Details will be announced by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bristol Hospice (https://bristolfoundation.org…) or Queen’s University in Memory of Frank (https://www.givetoqueens.ca/d…
Send to someone
Want to stay updated?
Share this memorial website
Share with others
