PATRICK (AMPIC) CHARLES HILTZ

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PATRICK (AMPIC) CHARLES HILTZ Pat Hiltz passed away at his home in Lions Prairie Manor on Saturday morning September 22, 2007 at the age of 93 years. Dad was born in 1914, second son of a family of four, three boys and a girl. He was raised on a homestead in Spruce Home, a village north of Prince Albert, SK, that his grandfather had helped settle after moving from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 1906. Dad attended a one-room school but left early, as did many of his generation, anxious to get to work and put his school years behind him. Although work was plentiful as he was growing up, he left school just as the Great Depression struck Canada and the world. Dad joined thousands of Canadians looking for work, taking odd jobs, travelling from community to community, riding the rails. He travelled from coast to coast, going as far east as Nova Scotia and at one point joined a trek to Ottawa to protest the economic situation to the government of the day. As the depression lessened Dad cut cordwood until war was declared in 1939. He was among the first to join up, serving in Britain, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Dad landed on Juno Beach on D-Day and fought his way with the Canadian army across Europe until victory was declared in 1945. He promptly volunteered for the South Pacific, but victory in Japan ended those plans. Dad returned home, married Mae Morash, adopted her son Garth and had two other children, Randy and Sheldon. Following his military service, Dad worked building bridges, as a penitentiary guard and then went mining in 1950, first in Sheridan, then in Lynn Lake. He worked for Sherritt Gordon Mines until his retirement in 1975 after 25 years of service. Retirement years were spent in Penticton, Brandon and Portage la Prairie. Dad leaves his memory to his sons, Garth (Marge) of Coronach, SK and Sheldon (Sue) of Portage la Prairie. He is also survived by a sister Margurite Spencer of Westbank, BC, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers, Percy and Jim, his youngest son Randy and his wife Mae. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers as expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Pat's memory to Lions Prairie Manor Foundation, 24 9th Street SE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3V4. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Pat by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. 857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 25, 2007