Brent HARBACK

HARBACK, Brent Allan
May 6, 1960 - December 7, 2012
Brent Allan Harback, beloved husband of Joyce of Calgary, went to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Friday, December 7, 2012 at the age of 52 years. Brent is survived by his loving wife Joyce; only son Andrew; parents Roy and Lila Harback; brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Tina Harback; and brother-in-law Doug Alexander. He is also survived by many other beloved friends, relatives and colleagues. Brent was predeceased by a brother Mark in 1959 and a sister Alison in 1988. Brent was born in Grande Prairie, AB and lived with his family in Valleyview, Crooked Creek, Edmonton, Thorhild, Kitscoty and Lloydminster where he graduated from high school in 1978. Brent developed his love of travel and music from his parents, Roy and Lila, who took the family to Europe for a month in 1974. Back at home, he studied piano and voice, excelling in both as he sang at church. He also competed in music festivals and the CFRN Search for Talent, where he won first place over multiple years in both solo and ensemble groups. His love for and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ guided his life. He was actively involved in churches wherever he lived. First Baptist Church, Lloydminster; Rockyview Alliance Church, Calgary; Rainbow Lake Community Fellowship and, since 2001, First Alliance Church, Calgary. Brent was the president of the church youth group at First Baptist in Lloydminster and held numerous lead roles in musicals there and throughout his life. He sang in the choir at every church he attended and loved singing duets with his wife, Joyce, and quartets with his buddies. He combined his love of travel and music as he toured the West Coast and into Midwest USA with an ensemble, Master's Praise, and participated in two choir tours to Europe, performing in the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris and the official 50th Anniversary Liberation Festivities in the Netherlands. Brent's love for hockey was born as a student when he had opportunity to play. He loved the excitement of watching his son play in Calgary Minor Hockey. He is an avid NHL fan and has held season tickets to the Calgary Flames since 2004. He was deeply disappointed at the 2012-13 lockout. He developed a strong work ethic early in life, starting with a newspaper delivery route, was a chicken fryer at KFC, and then became a disc jockey with CKSA Radio/Television in Lloydminster. In 1979 he enrolled in a communications program at Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska. There his love of music continued as he sang in the Chorale and met another singer, Joyce Nickel, who eventually became the duet of his life and his wife. In August 1980, Brent accepted a position at Husky Oil and over 32 years with the company, held various positions of increasing responsibility, primarily in the area of Procurement and Supply Chain Management. Brent and Joyce moved to Calgary in 1986, where he was the first in Husky to obtain his Professional Certification in Purchasing Management. His career shifted to Rainbow Lake, AB, in 1996 to become a Supervisor and back to Calgary in 2001 to be a Team Leader. On December 5, 2012, he was named "SCM Manager - Category Management - Corporate Services and Marketing" where he gave leadership to a team of talented professionals for whom he had great respect and affection. The highlight of The Harback's life was the birth of their only son, Andrew, in 1992. Brent was a devoted father who loved teaching his son to skate and play hockey and was always supportive and actively involved in Andrew's teams up through Midget (even when his son gave up goal scoring for goaltending) but the best year was Northstars Bantam AAA Blazers. He also strapped on the skis and drove hundreds of kilometres to support Andrew in competitive freestyle skiing. He was never more proud than when Andrew was awarded a Dean's Scholarship to attend Trinity Western University. It was Brent's great delight to entertain others whether he was on stage or in a meeting. His dry sense of humour and fondness for pranks endeared him to all. He always tried to lighten the mood with a funny story. He enjoyed kids and would have been an amazing grandpa. He was a loyal friend and a committed Christian who cared deeply for his family, friends and colleagues. Beloved Brent, you will be sorely missed. A Graveside Service will be held today, December 14, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Mountain View Memorial Gardens (17 Avenue S.E. at Garden Road). A Memorial Service will be held at First Alliance Church (12345 - 40 Street S.E.) on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Compassion Canada, PO Box 5591, London, ON, N6A 5G8 (Telephone 1-800-563-5437; www.compassion.ca) or Samaritan's Purse, 20 Hopewell Way N.E., Calgary, AB T3J 5H5 (Telephone 1-800-663-6500; www.samaritanpurse.ca). In living memory of Brent Harback, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.