ANTON PFLUG

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ANTON PFLUG It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Anton Pflug on January 3, 2013 at Concordia Place at the age of 85. Anton (Tony) moved on to his next journey while surrounded by a family full of love for a special husband, father and grandfather. Anton was born on May 21, 1927 in the village of Ruma in the former Yugoslavia (now Serbia). He was predeceased by his infant sister Elisabeth, his father Joseph, his brother Martin and his mother Theresia (née Noll). Anton will be forever missed by his loving wife of 61 years, Johanna, children Gerhard (Gisèle), Manfred (Ilse) and Ingrid (Allan), grandchildren, Jason (Shelly), Andrea (Colette), Michael (Marta), Sylvia, Erica, Marcus, William, Autumn, and great-grandchild Jake. Anton will also be missed by his family in Steyr, Austria including his sister-in-law Maria and children Gerlinde, Roswitha, Josef, Martina and their spouses and children. Extended family in the United States and the Zeininger family in Austria will also be missing him. Anton's education as a teacher was interrupted by the Second World War when he was called upon to serve. As a postwar refugee in Austria, he met the beautiful Johanna Zeininger. They married in 1951 and Anton worked as a teacher in a reform school. In 1953, Anton made the bold decision to move his young family and his mother to Canada. Despite initial hardships, Anton was fortunate and found employment soon after he emigrated. He began working as a shipper with British American Oil, which later became Gulf Oil and finally Petro Canada. Once establishing his family in Winnipeg, Anton set out to create a life filled with friendships, social activities and public service for his community and his church. His motto may well have been Ich diene (I serve). Anton spent many years as a member of the German Society of Winnipeg where he held various positions, including President. He began the German Saturday School that originally operated out of the German Society and was one of the founding board members of the Hansa Credit Union. He worked tirelessly for his church, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and served as the President of the Parochial Society. He received commendation from the Red Cross for his commitment to blood donation. He was particularly proud to have received a City of Winnipeg Community Service Award in 1974. Anton was also involved with Folkorama and in particular the Majestic Alps Pavilion, acting as its Ambassador in 1990. After retirement from Petro Canada in 1987, he and Johanna moved to their cottage near Gimli and he became immersed in lake life and the game of golf. Nothing made him as happy as when his entire family, including all of the grandchildren, was gathered at the cottage to enjoy each other's company and the beautiful Manitoba summer. Anton was a man of many passions including the outdoors, music, politics and his chosen country of Canada, but nothing came close to the passionate love he had for his family and in particular his wife Johanna to whom he was devoted and from whom he drew strength for his final years. Our family wishes to express our gratitude for the loving care Anton received from the nurses and staff of the 3rd floor of Concordia Place. You treated him like family and your care and compassion will not be forgotten. Anton's departure has left a hole in our hearts, but we will always remember that special twinkle in his eye that he shared with family and friends. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2012, at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 355 Andrews Street. Following the service a private family burial will take place with a reception to follow, at St. Timothy's Catholic Church, 135 John Forsyth Road. If friends so choose, donations can be made to Concordia Foundation Inc., 1095 Concordia Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S8, in lieu of flowers. Ruhe in Frieden NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2013