Justin Frape:
CLASS OF 1993
Mazo De La Roche SchoolClass of 1993
Newmarket, ON
Wilfrid Laurier University - BusinessClass of 2002
Waterloo, ON
Aurora High SchoolClass of 1998
Aurora, ON
Meadowbrook Public SchoolClass of 1993
Newmarket, ON
Justin's Story
Life
I've lived in several places since school, but as of February 2006, I am a proud and happy resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario. I gave Sudbury a shot after going to school in southwestern Ontario and working in Toronto; I didn't like the idea of spending my life stuck in traffic on the highway. After a couple of long-term relationships that didn't work out, I'm finally in a relationship that is absolutely what I've always wanted. I love her very much, and look forward to sharing the rest of my life with her.
Been a bit of a workaholic, I have to admit, though I'm gradually finding other things to do. Some of my most recent exploits have been white water kayaking (harder than it looks! geez!), car racing (the legal, on-the-track kind), I'm contemplating picking up a guitar and learning how to play it...
My little orange tabbycat Mitsi is still alive! I've had her since the end of grade 5... she's 20 now, and lives with Katherine and I in Thunder Bay.
School
I have to admit, I'm glad that I've moved on from high school. It was a tough time of my life, particularly with my family living situation, etc. By the time the end of high school, I was itching to move on and do something completely different; going to Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo was exactly what I needed to do.
However, I guess as I've grown older, moved around a lot and managed to lose contact with a bunch of people, I've come to appreciate the contributions of many good people that I knew in high school. It's a shame that I've lost contact with them, and that's one of the reasons why I've been keen to find out where they are. (which, if nothing else, explains why I've come to Classmates.)
College
Oh boy... university was one hell of a blur. It was an amusing blur, though :-). I studied Honours Political Science and Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. As I said earlier, it was a good thing for me to move on and do something completely different from my high school years... but I don't think I had any clue just how different it would turn out to be!!!
My first year of university was akin to what people see in the movies; my residence was a hole, my roommates were a bunch of burnt-out potheads, and most of the year was a hazy dream. But really, I needed to have a year like that. I desperately needed to get over myself, and I think I accomplished that.
The subsequent years were certainly a lot more stable. I lived in a house with one other guy and 4 girls who progressively "trained" me to be a decent man as the years went by. :-) Really, they were all wonderful people and I very much enjoyed living with them.
University was the time when I real...Expand for more
ly came into my own, I think. I developed the sort of laid-back, quiet confidence that I needed to feel good about myself and feel good about how I live my life. I finally became content in university, and that has gradually carried over into my working life as I progress in my career.
Workplace
When I finished university, I was so desperate to get a job that I didn't look properly... now, I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason, and that ultimately, I wasn't ready for what I'm doing now. But I guess that's one of those life lessons that you learn over time.
During university, I left the Town of Newmarket's aquatics division to work for a private swimming pool company in Downsview, Ontario. I started off as a supervisor of lifeguards for what are called "Class B" pools; hotels, condominiums and apartment buildings that provide aquatic staff. For a change of pace, I got into the construction, service and repair of swimming pools. I enjoyed the technical and sales aspect of the business so much that I rose through the ranks of the Service division to eventually become the General Manager of Residential Services, operating of of the three main business units of the firm. I loved what I did, but I learned to hate the MASSIVELY long hours; when it started taking a real toll on my health (we're talkin' about my damn near having a heart attack), I left the job.
Through some connections with a friend of mine, I landed a job with a small research and development consulting firm in Sudbury, Ontario of all places. It was owned by an older British fellow who had plans to retire in the next few years. Not only did the work he did interest me, but I liked the idea of learning the business and eventually taking it over upon Nigel's retirement. So I moved up to Sudbury in the spring of 2004 to begin in the business, subsequently moving to Guelph to spend a couple of years there.
Fast-forward to today... things soured between Nigel and I in 2006, which led to my departure and establishment of my own research and development consultancy in Thunder Bay. Telos Business Solutions is my baby; and oh, is it ever a lot of fun. The work is as interesting as it is challenging, I get to meet a lot of people and make a real difference/contribution towards the growth of small, technology-focused businesses in Northern Ontario. Don't let the bad news stories, mill closures and statements of economic pessimism fool you - those who live in Northern Ontario are hard-working, resilient folks who love their way of life and will do their damndest to ensure that they can continue to live here. It's an honour to help them out, and I look forward to living here for many years to come.
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