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Frank was the eldest son and was born in New Westminster. He was educated in England, and became a surveyor and civil engineer. After working for a short time on the Esquimalt dry docks he spent four years in Buenos Aires planning the great southern railway.
He returned in 1893 to work as a surveyor and engineer in the Kootenays, in partnership with Ganeble. Frank then formed his own firm named Gross and Co. in Victoria in 1906. This firm invested in the Belmont building in 1911-12 when Victoria was experiencing a development boom. However, in 1914 when the investment bubble burst, the O'Reillys fell on financial hard times which ultimately resulted in the break-up of Frank's marriage with Jessica Blakiston for whom he married in 1914.
Frank was fond of shooting, riding, croquet, tennis, golf, skating, theatre, picnics, and parties. He was a member of the union club and the conservative party, and a judge for the pacific Northwest yachting association.
Pictured Right, Kathleen/Frank/Jack
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