Harry Freisz of Grande Prairie passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 6, 2016, at the age of 95 years.

He was born March 11, 1921 to Rudolf and Bertha Freisz on a farm in Golden Prairie, SK.

Harry is survived by his loving wife Fay of 64 years; son Len (Irene) Freisz; daughters Bonnie (Terry Holman) Freisz and Marnie (Randy) Johnston; grandchildren: Tara (Greg) Sutley, Ronni (Chris) McIvor and Kyle (Jessica) Johnston; great-grandchildren: Mikayla Sutley, Reed Sutley, Paige McIvor, Rylee McIvor and Marlowe Johnston; sisters Freda Widmer and Gladys Gervais; sister in-law Jenny Smith; brothers in-law Frank (Jean) Smith and Bert (Doreen) Smith.

He was predeceased by his dad and sister Alice in 1970, his mother in 1978, and brother Walter in 2005.

Harry grew up farming in Golden Prairie until going in to the Army. After a few years, he returned to the farm but eventually moved to Breton, AB to work in the logging industry. During his five year stay, he met his bride Fay Smith and they married in 1952 and made Breton their home. Shortly after, Len was born in 1953, with $50 cash in his pocket, Harry packed up his small family in their pickup truck and travelled north to the Burnslake, BC area. They worked and lived at the sawmill on Teltapin Lake. Shortly after Bonnie was born in 1955, they moved into Burnslake where they stayed till 1961, when they returned to Breton where Harry worked the wireline in the oilfield. Marnie was born in 1963. In 1965, Harry moved his family for the last time to Grande Prairie where he started working for Canfor. He worked there as the assistant foreman of the Plywood division until he retired in 1986.

In his younger years, Harry was an avid baseball/softball player, and loved taking his family on camping trips. After retiring, he was able to spend more time in the outdoors: camping in their camper, hunting and fishing. As his health started to fail, he spent hours in the garden or garage, watching sports on TV (curling, baseball and hockey were his favorites), playing games and enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

In Harry’s honour, the family will be holding an informal gathering on Saturday, November 12, 2016, from 1:00-4:00pm at Len and Irene’s house (7757 - 65 Ave. Maple Ridge Estates).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Heart and Stroke of Alberta (Unit 109, 10126-120 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 8H9), or to charity of one's choice.

Special thanks to Dr. Josef Labuschagne, his wife Rosanne, and Warren and his staff at the Shamrock Pharmacy in the Co-op Store for all their help!