Harold Breck

BRECK Harold passed suddenly November 18, 2009 at the age of 77. He was predeceased by Merlene, his wife of 54 years, in 2008. He is survived by his son Kerry (daughter-in-law Terry, grandchildren Michael, Derek and Jesse); and son Darren; sisters Elsie Klein and Erskina Haddad. Harold worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway as a brakeman and conductor for 33 years before retiring early to spend his time renovating homes, sailing and doting on his grandchildren. A service will be held at Coastal Church, 1160 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC on Saturday November 28th at 1:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served immediately following the service.Harold Breck was born in 1932, on a farm near Duval Saskatchewan. He was the youngest of many children born to Wilhelm and Bertha Breck. He celebrated his birthday on May 1st even though the government recorded it as June1st because his mother insisted that May 1st was the correct date.He had a limited education because the harsh winters made the trip to a one room schoolhouse too difficult. He learned by doing through chores, jobs or trial and error. Even as a young boy he helped herd cows with the family dog. The school of life instilled in Harold a strong work ethic.During WWII, his parents moved the family onto an orchard and dairy near Vernon BC. Harold told many stories about growing up in Vernon during the war. He brought home bullets and unexploded mortar shells from the firing range which he and his friends cut open with a saw to get the explosive powder. This adventure ended when he blew off the door of the wood stove. Harold earned extra money delivering newspapers to the army camp. He used this money to buy tools and models which furthered his education as he figured out how things worked.Since farming didn’t provide him enough income, he took a position as a millwright’s helper where he learned much about repairing equipment. He then went to work for a body shop. The skills that he learned there served him well for many years. He bought damaged cars and restored them and he sometimes fixed his relatives’ cars as well. His most memorable reflection of this time was buying a mint Ford Model A touring car for $40.00. It was not fashionable to have old cars in those days and his father told him to get rid of it.He met the love of his life, Merlene Weinheimer, around 1950. After a lengthy courtship, he sold his bull to buy a wedding ring set. They were married May 1st, 1954. Even though he continued to work on the farm and at the body shop he wasn’t making an adequate living. Harold and Merlene explored the idea of immigrating to California although many of his relatives had already settled in Revelstoke. He hired on to the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1956; a company he spent 33 years with. He lived in Revelstoke eighteen years. He had two sons and built several houses, all of which still stand. In 1974 he decided to re-locate the family to Chase, BC. He purchased a lot on the Little Shuswap Lake and built a small house. Every third day Harold would commute 60 kilometers to Kamloops where he worked on the passenger train to Field, BC and back.In 1977, he purchased a hobby farm near Monte Creek. He returned to his roots. He planted many fruit trees and used much of the open space to grow hay. Unfortunately, his health began to deteriorate as he was stricken with arthritis which was crippling him. He spent much of 1979 -80 in Vancouver for surgery and physiotherapy. He enjoyed the weather in Vancouver, especially the lack of cold and snow.At then end of 1980, he again re-located the family to Richmond. A man constantly in search for something to do, he purchased an unfinished house in Surrey. When the real-estate market crashed, he sold his house in Richmond and bought a run down multi-unit building near Vancouver City Hall.In 1990, after consulting with Merlene, Harold accepted an early retirement offer from the railway. He purchased a small apartment building in the West End in 1993. He chose run down buildings because it allowed him to use his skills and experience to improve the properties he purchased. He eventually sold the house in Surrey and moved to the West End. Six years later, he sold that building and moved into the apartment house located near Vancouver city hall.Always restless, he bought a 60 year old house on 41st Avenue. He renovated the house and the family lived in it for several years. When property values increased, Harold sold the house and moved back into the apartment house on 11th Avenue.You may have the impression that Harold was a workaholic and that his life was filled with work continually. However, there was more to him than work. Harold was not interested in traveling abroad. He enjoyed simple pleasures. He loved boats; he started small and worked up to a 65 foot sailboat. He had a truck and camper for many years, which he used to take the family on fishing trips.Harold had a zest for life. Whether it was for work or for recreation he put all his energy into the activity. In September 2008, Merlene, his devoted wife of 54 years, suddenly passed away. After that it was hard to motivate him to do anything. The only times he got excited was when he knew one of his grandsons was going to visit him. His failing memory made him self-conscious around people and he withdrew from many of his friends. His son, Darren, cared for him until his passing. Although we celebrate his life’s accomplishments, his family and friends are saddened at his sudden departure.