Tribute

Werner Neufeld, son of Jacob and Maria Neufeld, our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, was born in the Chortitza Colony in Ukraine during much upheaval in the former Soviet Union.  Despite this, he had a happy Childhood. As a teen in the early 1940’s German troops invaded the U.S.S.R. and the front went through Dad’s village. It was a very exciting time for him. The soldiers stayed in their house and were thrilled to speak German and eat German cooking. They called his mother ‘Mutti”, an endearing German term for mother.

In 1943 the family, along with many others, fled to the West because they feared they would be sent to Siberia with other Germans who were suspected to be collaborators with the Germans.   During the flight westward, Dad’s father narrowly escaped being executed as he was the leader of the group they were in. The family found temporary refuge in Germany and Dad worked as a helper on a farm. Although the Second World War was officially over, a fighter pilot dove down on Dad and he was almost killed by the strafing gunfire of the fighter.

After the war, the family sailed to Paraguay and settled in the Chaco region, affectionately known as “the Green Hell”. Dad’s early adult years were hard, with much land clearing of the jungle. In 1954, Dad married his beloved wife Katharina (Harder), who most people called Tina.  Three children were born in Neuland, Paraguay, Ludwig, Gerhard, and Mary. Erika was born in Canada a short time after they emigrated in 1958.

Dad had numerous jobs in Canada including building fibre glass boats, as a helper of a chimney sweep, and as a worker at Wrights Canadian Ropes in Richmond.  In the early 1970’s, dad was diagnosed with heart disease and though he worked part time as he was able, by the mid 1970’s he was unable to work anymore. He was devastated. He had loved his jobs and was a hard worker. With medication over the years, he was able to do more of the things he loved, but never returned to work.

At the age of 57, his dear wife died suddenly. The shock was great for him and his family. Over the years, he slowly became sociable and outgoing again. Dad was known to the family, neighbours, and strangers alike as a funny, intelligent, and compassionate man.  He had many hobbies and interests, chief among them, perhaps, was his love for music and in particular, J.S. Bach. His record collection was extensive. He was a great gardener and spent countless hours in the garden. He also loved visiting his beloved children and grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his sisters, Hilda and Frieda, brother-in-law, Werner, sister-in-law, Anna, and brother-in-law, Cornelius. He has left behind 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.