Obituary of Franz "Frank" Habersack

It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Franz "Frank“ Habersack, a long-time resident of Tomslake, British Columbia passed on September 9^th, 2022, at the age of 84 years. Frank was born March 5th, 1938, in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria. He was the oldest son of 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls.  From 1944 – 1952 he attended primary school in Bad Waltersdorf. After completing his primary education, he worked on his parents' farm. He then attended the agricultural technical school in Hatzendorf, where he completed his master’s in agriculture. At the time, he was the youngest man in the state of Styria to hold a Masters. Frank fulfilled his military service in the army in Carinthia. In 1962 he moved to Germany on an old motorcycle and with just one suitcase. His first job was on a farm in Mattenhofen near Munich. After that he was employed near the old Munich airport at an estate with a distillery. His longest employer was for Earl Lütichau, who had several pork operations. There, he managed operations in Bamberg - Mock Müll and at NATO's largest military training area in Grafenwoehr.

In 1979 he made the decision to fulfill his lifelong dream: having his own farm! Despite not knowing a word of English, he packed his bags and made the voyage across the sea to Canada. Soon after arriving, he met his soon-to-be wife, Bernadette, in an English course in Dawson Creek. She was a nurse from Austria working at the Pouce Coupe Haven on a one-year work visa. Coming from the same cultural background, and both speaking the same language drew them together. In Oct 1980, they were married. Their first daughter Monica was born in 1981 and Elisabeth completed the family in 1983. The farm in Tomslake was Frank’s pride and joy. First a thriving dairy… then in 1997 switching to a beef operation. There was never a shortage of work. "If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life" is how he lived out his days. He was a man of great faith, integrity, perseverance, and strong work ethic.

But he also knew not to take life too seriously. For anyone that knew him well- you couldn’t get through a whole conversation without at least one joke. He really couldn’t help himself… you’d see this grin come across his face and that twinkle in his eye! His gift was humour and laughter whether you understood him or not!

Frank leaves to mourn his daughters Monica (Scott) Habersack, Elisabeth (Travis) Tulman; grandchildren Reagan and Luke Tulman; brother Alfred (Elfriede) Habersack, brother-in-law Toni (Hildegard) Baumann as well as many extended family and friends.

He has been reunited in heaven with his predeceased wife Bernadette; parents Franz and Maria Habersack; two sisters and their husbands Erna (Joseph) Pieber and Maria (Herman) Winkler; and many close relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 11am at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, with interment to follow at the Tomslake Cemetery and lunch at the Tomslake Hall.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Frank to the Mazankowski Heart Institute, 11220 83 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium