Mervin Liebreich of Lomond, Alberta passed away on October 31, 2005, Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 84 years.
Mervin was born at Ebenezer, Saskatchewan, on April 7, 1921, the fifth child of Adolf and Olga Liebreich. He spent most of his childhood growing up with his seven brothers and sisters on the family farm. At an early age Merv migrated from the farm to explore the many opportunities which would serve to form the legacy he leaves behind for his children.
Merv’s journey began in Northern Manitoba as a trapper which later led to the formidable occupation of lumberjack and finally a carnie with the Royal American shows. He soon realized none of the above were fulfilling his mission in life so off he went to the nickel mines in Sudbury to become a miner. Merv’s passion for learning led him back to Yorkton where he began his pursuit of education. At the age of twenty-one Merv took on his first principalship in Tompkins, Manitoba. He then proceeded to continue his education and became principal in Burstall, Saskatchewan and later in Seven Persons. In 1951 Mervin made the move to Lomond, Alberta where he settled to raise his family. Continuing a dedicated career as principal and educator at the Lomond School, he established the family farm. During this time Merv spent his summer attending the University of Calgary and Edmonton. In his spare time he sold insurance for Western Union.
Mervin was an avid reader and could recite many pieces from Shakespeare, Tennyson, Milton and Frost. Often for Christmas he would receive physics and chemistry books from the U of C which he would work tenaciously at during the winter months. Mervin not only fulfilled his passions but also became a licensed real estate agent with the Calgary Real Estate Board working for Toole Pete. During Inez’s lengthy battle with M.S., Merv taught high school in Vulcan, Alberta, worked for the Calgary Board of Education and continued to expand his “gentleman farming operations”. He was well known by the oil field personnel and they looked forward to their encounters with Merv.
Mervin was an athlete who excelled in baseball, playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers. He also played many years in Lomond. Merv also played hockey for the Flin Flon Bombers and continued his hockey career in Lomond playing, coaching and even playing side by side with his son Stan on the Lomond Senior team. In the off season Merv could be found uptown shooting pool in Sam Schlaht’s pool room. Mervin was also a member of the Lomond Lions Club for fifty years.
Mervin was a learned man who loved to travel, see history in the past and in the making. Merv, accompanied by his daughter Lynnette, traveled to many exotic destinations in Asia, Europe and throughout North America. Merv’s greatest joy was his family, of which he was very proud. He was perceived as a pillar of strength and integrity to all who had the opportunity to have known him.
Merv leaves behind his daughter Lynnette Liebreich of Calgary, his son Stan (Helen Ann) of Lomond, his cherished grandchildren Chad Liebreich, Brock (Krista) Liebreich, Luke (Shauna Thomson) Liebreich and Amanda (Tim) Weisbeck, five beautiful great grandchildrfen Ryann, Emily, Paige, Reid and Gage Liebreich, a brother Norman and two sisters Beatrice and Violet as well as many nieces and nephews.
Merv was predeceased by his wife and soul mate Inez in 1986, his four brothers Herb, Ralph, Ed and Irvin and his parents.
In keeping with Merv’s wishes, a private grave side service was held Friday November 4, 2005 at Lomond Cemetery in the Liebreich family plot with only his immediate family present.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Merv’s memory can be made to the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, Box 1030, Coaldale, Alberta T1M 1M8.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.