HENRY FAST

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HENRY FAST January 27, 1919 - January 17, 2012 It is with sadness and gratitude for a long and full life that the family announces the passing of Heinrich Henry John Fast on January 17, 2012. Henry was born on January 27, 1919 in the German-Mennonite settlement of Blumenort, Ukraine. As a young man growing up during the Ukraine Famine, he persevered despite the loss of both parents and a sibling. Henry immigrated to Germany in 1943 where he met his wife Anna and they were married in 1945 in the town of Diersbutel. They were fortunate to immigrate to Canada in 1948 with their infant daughter Anna-Liese and settled in Chilliwack, BC, welcoming the birth of their second child, John. Dad's journey continued with a family move to Winnipeg in 1949 where they settled in the community of North Kildonan and the family eventually grew to include four more children, Linda, Rudy, Anthony and Angela. He created his own company, H. Fast Construction and Appraising, and took pride in leading the renovation of many prominent downtown businesses. Dad was baptized in North Kildonan, MB Church in 1950. Dad's love of nature was evident in his joy of being at the family cottage, enjoying water sports and fishing. This continued after the cottage was sold with Dad hitting the road in his personally customized camper-van which he outfitted from a shell to suit mom and dad's travelling needs, taking along any willing participants. His adventures of travel and golfing continued on into his early eighties. Although Dad's life started off with a loss of family, it ended with him being surrounded by a very large family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who admired Opa's tenacity and loved him deeply. Survived and held in memory by wife Anna (Loewen), children Anne (Glen), Linda (Walter Porky ), Rudy (Linda), Anthony, Angela (Shaun), ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Predeceased by eldest son John in 2011. Funeral service Friday, January 20. 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, 570 Sharron Bay. Interment to follow in Green Acres Cemetery. If friends desire, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200 - 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, R2L 0K6.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2012