Ferdinand Manz

1925-2012Ferdinand (Fred) Karl Manz, age 87 years, formerly of Red Rock, ON passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 2nd, 2012, at his residence in Grandview Lodge with his favorite classic country music playing in the background which was always on when he wasn't watching TV. Fred was born February 21st, 1925, to Frank and Paulina Manz in a region of Bukovina, Austria in Europe (what is now the northern region of Romania and southern Ukraine border), and emigrated at the age of 4 with his father, mother and sister Hattie to Canada, arriving via boat to Pier 21 in Halifax on July 13th, 1929. Younger brother Frank was born six years later in Saskatchewan. Fred was a child of the great depression and grew up on Saskatchewan farms that his parents were hired at 60Km southeast of Regina in a farming community area called Odessa, and set out in his late teens to leave the farm and moved to Regina, obtaining work in the packing department of a Burns meat processing plant. He then left Regina with his best friend, Gus Hungle in 1947 with aspirations to find work in the automotive industry in Windsor. The two stopped along the way in Port Arthur, Ontario, where Gus knew a girl he met when he was in the Navy by the name of Teresa Poling for what was meant to be a brief stop-over. They did not venture any further. Employment opportunities were available in Red Rock, Ontario, at the Brompton Pulp and Paper mill. While there staying at the Red Rock Inn, Fred met the love of his life Olivine Belanger from Campbell's Bay, Quebec. The brief stay turned out to be his final destination. Fred was always a true gentleman and they fell in love on the dance floor as many who watched them dance together can attest. Fred and Olive were married on May 30th, 1953. As well as obtaining work at the mill from 1947 to 1968, he operated a taxi service called Rex Cab which was started by another good friend, Frank Fowler who passed away tragically in an automobile accident. His pride and joy was when he had built, owned & operated Fred's Texaco Service station (which later became Fred's Esso) for 41 years from 1956-1997.Being a good provider to his family was a top priority for Fred and he loved life very much and treasured spending family time at home just relaxing when not working at the mill or at the service station and at the family cottage at Stewart Lake and travelling together especially the winter vacations Fred and Olive enjoyed in Florida and Fred in Arizona after Olive passed on.Fred is survived by sons, Robert (Monique) of Thunder Bay and George (Carol) of Burlington; grandsons Tyler Manz (Marissa) of Toronto, Ryan Manz of Thunder Bay and granddaughter Lydia Manz of Brantford; brother Frank (Leona) Manz of Regina; Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive in Saskatchewan and the Ottawa Valley.Fred was predeceased by his wife of 39 years Olive; son Murray; parents Frank and Paulina; sister Hattie Linton.The family of the late Fred Manz extends sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful people whose help enabled Fred to have a comfortable stay in Nipigon District Memorial Hospital and Grandview Lodge Home for the Aged in Thunder Bay. His quality of life was enhanced by their motivation, kindness, thoughtfulness and professional care.Memorial services for the late Fred Manz will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 15th, 2012, in the Chapel of the Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 Cumberland Street North. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the Service. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Fred's memory to the Nipigon District Memorial Hospital and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation designated to the Northern Cardiac Fund. On-Line Condolences may be offered atwww.harbourviewfuneral.ca "