Ainsworth Carter Piano and Violin Fund and Ainsworth-Carter Opportunity Fund
Frank and his late partner Robert (Bob) Carter had strong affiliation with the School of Music at the University of Victoria. They established the Ainscart Charitable Trust to provide annual funds to the Ainsworth-Carter Scholarship fund that they set up at the university in 2016. The Scholarship supports full time students pursuing studies in piano or the violin with the School of Music at the university.
Both Frank and Bob started their lives in Ontario. Frank was born in Toronto in 1933 and was one of 6 children, 5 boys and a girl. He had two daughters, three grandsons and some great grandchildren. As a young boy he took piano lessons for several years and this created a lifetime love of music. As a fifth generation Canadian, Bob was born in Guelph in 1928 and although he had a large extended family (his father could count 92 first cousins), he was an only child and never married. He took violin lessons for six years and played in his high school orchestra. Here too a love of music was planted.
Frank's career included many years in the buying, selling, merchandising and promotion of men's fashions, with connections to various retail outlets. He was for some years involved in the design and production of costuming for amateur theatrical groups. He also had private clients to whom he provided advice on clothing styles and choices and co-ordinated their creation. He eventually left the artistic world and its economic instability to join the Ontario Government. He retired from the Ministry of Transportation and Communication as Supervisor of the Motor Vehicle Licensing, Main Issuing Office.
Bob had an after school career start with Zellers stores management in Guelph and Sarnia. He later became involved in work simplification and office methods with Lever Brothers Limited. Over the years he did some chorus singing and even tried his hand at stage set design. His talent for form design led him to the Provincial Secretary's department of the Ontario Government and from there to the office of the Chief Election Officer of the province. While there and at their request in the 70's, he made a successful review and simplification of Election Canada's forms in Ottawa. Also at their request, in 1988 he spent two months as an observer with Elections BC. He retired as Director of Operations and Communications for Elections Ontario. As well as his volunteer work with the Oak Bay Volunteers for many years, on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, he was awarded one of the Queen's medals for his contribution to Canada as a long-time volunteer with the CNIB.
For 50 years, Frank and Bob shared and enjoyed a variety of interests. Music was always included in their lives, from the Canadian Opera and a named seat in the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, to Pacific Opera support and symphony attendance in Victoria