FRED FUNK

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FRED FUNK It is with great sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of a beloved and loving husband, apu (father) and zaida (grandfather), Fred Funk on March 7, 2007. He is mourned by his wife Agi; his two children, Kathy and George; his grandchildren, Dr. Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Dr. Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) who remember him as a beacon of strength, love and kindness. He was born in Hungary on August 16, 1920 to parents who were powerful influences in his life and helped to instill in him a tremendous sense of family and ambition. Regrettably as Nazism spread across Europe, he was caught up in the abyss and shipped with his mother to the notorious death camp known as Auschwitz. His mother and other family members perished in the Holocaust. Fred and four of his siblings survived. After the war, Fred found Agi who lost her father in the Holocaust. In spite of all of this tragedy, these two lost souls found love and united in marriage which lasted for over 60 years. During the Hungarian revolution in 1956, they escaped the repressive communist regime and a continent that provided so many awful memories. They came with only the bags they could carry and a dream for a better life for themselves and their children. Without knowing a word of English, not even having a high school education, not having any money and having a family to support, through dogged determination and an unrivalled work ethic, he honed the skills of a master realtor. His achievements and awards have been unmatched to this date. He was No. 1 amongst all realtors in Winnipeg for not only one year but for several years. Yet the only achievements that mattered were the achievements of his children and grandchildren and to see them happy and flourish. He took great pride in all of his family's achievements which has included graduations as a teacher, lawyer, dentist and doctor. The fruits of his love culminated last year when he was able to celebrate not only the 60th anniversary of his marriage but the weddings of his two grandsons. Fred's life was honoured at his funeral on March 9 at Congregation Etz Chayim with interment at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mark Shefrin, Allan Shefrin, Bill Sklover, David Garfield, Morley Wiseman and Bruce Granove. Honourary pallbearers were Paul Barsony, Romie Hernandez, Andre Osztermann, Alex Veres, Erwin Weiszmann and David Unrau. For their love and care of Fred, the family thanks Romie and Rosalina Hernandez, family and friends for their support during this difficult time. Those wishing to honour Fred's memory may do so by making a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation. The accumulation of Fred's memories may have been ripped up by Alzheimer's. Yet it wasn't able to rob him of everything as he was still able to retain what was most important and to utter to his family that they were the world to him and that he loved them very much. That love was so deep. We will all forever remember that the most. We will also forever love him.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 07, 2007