Frank Stukus One-third of the famous Stukus brothers and CFL legends

On my walk at beautiful Fenelon Falls Cemetery in the Kawartha Lakes region, with a CFL football in hand, I discovered the grave of Frank Stukus.

Frank was one-third of the famed Stukus brothers. At just 19 years old, he joined siblings Annis and Bill in the Toronto Argonauts’ backfield — a remarkable trio who played side-by-side and helped lead the Boatmen to a Grey Cup championship in 1938.

Their story is one of the most memorable family moments in Canadian football history. To have three brothers all contributing to a title-winning team at the same time is a rarity in any sport.

The Stukus family had humble roots — their father, a Lithuanian immigrant and former weightlifter, reportedly considered football a frivolous pastime. One can imagine his perspective shifting dramatically upon seeing his sons become champions, and his eldest, Annis, go on to become a true legend in Canadian sport.

Frank Stukus, wearing number 72 in the photo, was the youngest of the brothers, died in Fenelon Falls, Ontario in July 2001. He was 83.