Wife’s touching tribute to Tony Franz, former CEO of FNQ Hospital Foundation

The wife of a man instrumental in helping raise $19m for the Cairns Hospital, safeguarding its future, has remembered him as an extraordinary person.

Former Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation CEO Tony Franz has been remembered as kind, devoted and generous man after his sudden death. Motorcyclist Latisha Baker and Tony Franz in the Emergency ward. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

The wife of a man instrumental in helping raise $19m for the Cairns Hospital, safeguarding its future, has remembered him as an extraordinary person after he died suddenly.

Tony Franz, 62, was the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation chief executive for 16 years.

During that time he was responsible for significant improvements across the hospital including a new cardiac facility, a rooftop playground for recovering children and vital equipment such as microscopes, scanners and endoscopy instruments.

Between 2004 and 2019 Mr Franz oversaw more than $19m in fundraising.

His wife Liz Franz said her husband was “extremely affectionate, caring, loving, and devoted person”.

“It’s not just his family (that will miss him) but the whole Cairns community,” she said.

“He was a very giving person, he had so much to live for.”

Through his tenure CEO Tony Franz raised $19 million in critical hospital funding. Respiratory Physician Stephen Vincent (left) and Anesthetist Dr Andy Potter (right) try new equipment on then Hospital Foundations CEO Tony Franz (centre). PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY

During his tenure, Mr Franz ensured 100 per cent of every donation went to those in need.

Current CEO Gina Hogan said Mr Franz developed the hospital’s commercial ventures such as the hospital cafe and parking to make sure no donations had to go towards administration costs.

“We stand on the shoulders of giants … for us to be able to grow the foundation … and make a difference to healthcare is all because of that groundwork that Tony did,” Ms Hogan said.

“For Tony it was a dream job for him and to have a role where you can truly see that you’re making an impact and a difference.

“I think for anyone who takes on a role in the foundation … you don’t do it just as a job, you put your heart into it … I think he’s remembered as such a lovely, kind man who really cared about the foundation.”

Every year Tony Franz would participate in the gruelling Cairns to Cooktown charity ride, the Cardiac Challenge. Tony and his wife Liz at the 2007 Cardiac Challenge. Picture supplied.

Outside of work, Mr Franz was an avid surfer who spent his life outdoors and keeping active.

Nearly every year he would undertake the gruelling Cardiac Challenge, a 333km cycle between Cairns and Cooktown, combining his passions for giving back and staying active.

At home, Ms Franz said her husband was the same kind, passionate and funny person that so many people gravitated towards.

“He always had a lot of banter and had a lot of fun with his family,” Ms Franz said.

“We all holidayed together, even with adult children, because we had so much fun together he was full of energy and gave just as much to his family.”

Ms Franz encouraged others to appreciate how quickly life can change.

“There’s a lot of people that put a stigma on mental health, but it can happen to anybody and very quickly,” Ms Franz said.

“It can change within a matter of weeks … it’s important that people understand that your life can change in a flash and that’s what happened to us.”

Mr Franz died on January 23.

He is survived by his wife Liz and two children, Ali, 31, and Zac, 29.

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Originally published as Wife’s touching tribute to Tony Franz, former CEO of FNQ Hospital Foundation