Nicholas NEUFELD

NEUFELD, Nicholas
June 17, 1924 - April 19, 2014
The family of Nicholas (Nick) Neufeld is saddened to announce his sudden passing on April 19, 2014. He had felt ill for only a short time, but as it turned out there were serious underlying conditions present for some time. He was a man of strong faith in God and remained communicative with his family to the end. A few hours before he died he smiled at his loved ones and said, "No regrets". He is survived and missed by his wife of 64 years, Irene (nee Janzen); his children Irene Swanson, David (Luella) Neufeld, Leona Neufeld; his grandchildren Jennifer (Bryan) Vance, Geoff (Leah) Swanson, Scott (Kelsey) Neufeld, Terry (Laura) Neufeld; his great grandchildren Lauren, Colin, Hailey, Keaton and Joshua; his siblings John (Lena) Neufeld, Margaret (Cornie) Derksen, Ernest (Martha) Neufeld; many nieces and nephews; many friends. Nick was born in Russia and emigrated to Canada as an infant in 1924. As a young man, he was a pacifist and stood as a conscientious objector during the Second World War, serving his country as an orderly at Brandon Mental Hospital in Manitoba. He taught high school for a number of years in Manitoba - both in The Pas, and in Gretna at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute, the school where he had met Irene his wife and life companion. He graduated with a Master of Science degree from the University of Manitoba where he taught for two years in the Department of Microbiology. In 1956 he moved to Vancouver to join the microbiology lab at the Department of Fisheries where he remained for 33 years until his retirement in 1989. Nick was a gifted communicator, although he was profoundly deaf for much of his life. He was vitally interested in history - both Canadian and Mennonite, in music, literature, sports, photography and politics. He maintained an animated correspondence with friends and family alike. He was a wonderful storyteller. There will be a memorial service held on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Willingdon Church in Burnaby. In lieu of flowers the family gratefully requests that donations be made to the Mennonite Central Committee or the apheresis program at Vancouver General Hospital.