GLOWA, Frederick Bernard 1917 – 2013

Fredrick Bernard Glowa passed away August 7, 2013 at the Vulcan Extendicare, at the age of 96 years

 

Fred was born in Alonza, Manitoba on January 20, 1918, according to his mother, Rosalija  and father John.  He was the fourth of eight children.  Fred passed away at the age of 96, the longest surviving member of his family. His actual birthdate according to Vital Statistics is March 26, 1917, which was always a great mystery to the entire family.

 

As a young boy he worked with his dad on their farm and helped neighbouring farms where he first developed his love of animals.  It was his dream to always have his own farm.  He attended a one room school but left after grade four.

 

Fred was very proud and loyal to his country and served honourably in the Canadian Engineer Core during WWII from June 1940 to September 1945.  As a member of the Engineer Core he built roads, bridges, airports etc., as well as dismantled them when they were no longer required.  They cleared land for troops and tanks, surveyed and searched areas for landmines and other possible dangers.   They worked their way from Falaise, France all the way to Holland.  He was fortunate to have the same tent mate from the beginning of the war to almost the end.  He got separated from his unit while helping with the wounded and that is when he lost touch with his tent mate, Danny.  After the war they took a ship to Scotland and he was sea sick the whole time.  Dad claimed he was never so glad to be on solid ground as when he walked off that ship.  Although Dad never talked much about his experiences, Remembrance Day is a very proud and emotional time for our family.

 

When he returned home he met the love of his life, Marguerite and on May 6, 1947 in a double wedding ceremony, they were married.  For the first year of their marriage they owned a little grocery store.  Dad worked away and Mom worked the store paying it off in one year.  This was not the life they wanted, living so far apart so they sold the store and moved to Barnwell where Dad and Uncle Ollie helped build the road from Fort Macleod to Pincher Creek.

 

After a few other odd jobs, they moved back to Calgary where they bought a little white house for $5000.00 furnished.  Fred built the cabinets in the kitchen and they are still in that little house today.  This is where they started their family.

 

He went to night school taking Bookeeping and Accounting and  got a job with Keith Construction in Calgary.  As they were expecting their third child they built a house in Haysboro.  However, once the kids started coming they felt a small town would be a better place to raise them, and so in 1962 they moved to Vulcan where he worked for Glen Dahl as a bookkeeper until 1970 when he became the Administrator of the Vulcan Hospital.  He took a University Correspondence Courses to get his Hospital Administration Certificate.  We were all so very proud of him for doing that at his age and after only having a Grade 4 education. This instilled a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility in all his children and grandchildren.

 

In 1976 they moved to Carmangay where he lived his dream of owning his own farm and having his own horses and cows.  This kept him busy after he was forced into retirement in 1982 , because of Vital Statistics dates,  one year earlier than he had anticipated.

 

He was active on the farm until the age of 92, stacking hay and running Mike around.

 

From 1986-87, Fred and Marguerite proudly served a mission in Yugoslavia.  He also served in the Bishopric and loved all his church assignments.

 

When Michael moved back home he was so thankful for his help.  Dad was so proud of how hard he worked, the endless hours he put in and the strength he showed.  They became best friends, always supporting each other’s needs.

 

Together they had three beautiful daughters born in Calgary, three amazing sons born in Vulcan.  Lola Findlay said it was the water in Vulcan that helped Mom have boys.

 

Everyone of his children made him proud.
Lori with the beautiful music she makes and her comforting heart,
Joanie for her courage and never ending strength,
Lois for her big heart and generous spirit,
Kim for his calming strength and how far he has come in this world,
Michael for all the trials he overcame and his love of animals and the land,
Jay for his wise choices in career, family and church.
He loved little children.  Seeing his ten Grandchildren and 14 Great children always put a smile on his face and his heart swelled with pride and love.

 

But most of all Dad loved Mom, right to the very end.  He liked her to wear a dress instead of pants, he always ate everything on his plate.  They were united in all of their decisions and were a wonderful example for us kids.  Soul mates to the end.

 

He was a man of few words but when he did talk it was important to listen because that is when we learned the most.  He taught by example – the way he loved his family, made family values very important, pride for his country made us all concerned citizens, and his unwavering faith gave us all security and comfort when we needed it.

 

Sadly he started forgetting things.  It was a constant adventure searching for misplaced items.  Even though the disease Alzheimer’s limited his capabilities and he forgot names and places he never forgot that he loved us.  Mom wrote beautiful love notes to him telling him what a beautiful day it would be and reminding him to be good and always ending with I Love You.

 

He was a kind, caring, wise and gentle man, a big tease with a quick sense of humor.

 

We were so lucky to have such a Great Dad!

 

He will be sadly missed.

 

Funeral service Monday, August 12, 2013 at 1:30 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ  of Latter-Day Saints, Champion, AB with Bishop Robert Ellis officiating.

 

Interment at Carmangay Cemetery.

 

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home.  Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.