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Obituary of Herman Schwarz
May 8, 1943 – Doborn, Lisk, Poland
October 18, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Herman Schwarz, of Calgary, AB, on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the age of 81 years.
Herman was born in Poland on May 8, 1943, and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1952, settling in the Raymond, AB area where they made their start in Canada as potato farmers. He made his way to Calgary as a young man of nineteen and decided to make his home in the growing city.
A father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend, he is survived by his wife Gail of 53 years and their children, Herman Jr., Bob, Kelly (Cathy), Shelley (Barry), Kathy (Greg) and Shannon (Cory); grandchildren, Anita, Tania, Kalebb (Charlotte), Shellbie, Kayla, Josh (Emily), and Brenin; as well as great-grandchildren, Aiden S., Grayson, Aiden M., Rosealynn, Kaine and Pennelope. He also leaves behind two brothers, Julius and Adolf; and two sisters, Rosalie and Betty. He was predeceased by his parents, Augustus and Erline; as well as brothers, Henry, Gustav, Johann, Leonhard, and Helmut.
Herman was a proud, hardworking man who earned his Journeyman Mechanic Seal from SAIT and spent his career in the seismic industry. He was a skilled and passionate fisherman, spending many days on the Pacific coast with his brothers Julius and Leo, and throughout many of Western Canada’s finest waterways. Herman was well known for having the nicest lawn in the neighborhood, its green sharp corners being seen from down the block and the envy of many. He loved classic country music and classic cars, especially his 1960 Mercury Monterey "Big Red". He loved taking his children, then grandchildren out for ice cream in Big Red, no spills were ever allowed on the seats. He was an avid Flames fan and a watcher of wrestling. A teaser and jokester, if he gave you a nickname, he liked you. When he was younger, he liked to play pool at the St. Louis, drink Crown and Coke, beer and Clamato and his coffee sweet. In his later years, he liked lemon ginger tea with honey and the religious Gaither Hour. He could be gruff but was a teddy bear at heart. “All bark and no bite,” we used to say.
In his final years at the care home Herman was supported by his beloved wife Gail who joined him faithfully every day regardless of circumstance and kept company by all the family and care staff that sat by his bedside.
A Celebration of Herman’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek Hospitality Center, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Herman's family here.
In living memory of Herman Schwarz, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.
