Anton (Tony) Gerst peacefully passed away on May 28th, 2011 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 77years.
Tony was born on April 1, 1934 in Fazekasboda, Hungary to Peter and Maria Gerst. At the age thirteen, Tony and his mother were displaced during the Second World War from their home in Hungary to Erbach, Germany where they later reunited with his father. The family settled there. Tony finished school where he achieved his trade in construction. He married Waltraud (Trudy) in 1958 and they built their first home in Erbach. Over the next seven years, they had their four children.
In 1971 they relocated to Suessen, Germany in order to be closer to Tony’s place of employment, and they built their second home. In 1983, after working for the same company for 35 years, Tony and Trudy decided to immigrate to Canada in search of a better future for their children. They eventually settled in Vulcan, Alberta and purchased the Vulcan Dairy Bar.
The family then expanded the business by adding a gas station and a full service restaurant that they operated until 1995, known as Vulcan Fast Foods. During those years he made many friends throughout the town by having countless colorful discussions and bickering’s.
After retiring, Tony finally had time to enjoy his favorite pastimes which included traveling with his grandchildren, gardening, fishing, visiting, and making his own wine and beer. He was known for his green thumb with his vegetable garden, his backyard orchard, and also for ignoring common traffic laws while riding his “Charlie Davidson” scooter when running his daily errands around town. Tony was looking forward to seeing his first granddaughter Sonja getting married to Scott … this coming August.
Tony was predeceased by both of his parents and an infant sister Anna.
Tony will be greatly missed by his loving wife Trudy; his daughters Bettina (Achim) Kuehnle and Carol (Joseph) Hodgson; his sons Bert Gerst and Dietmar Gerst; his 5 grandchildren Sonja (Scott), Shane (Jessica), Kai, Tiana and Emily; his great granddaughter Brooklynn; and 2 great grandsons by heart Jakia and Austin. Tony also leaves behind many good friends in Vulcan and a large extended family in Germany.
As per his wishes, a private funeral service was held on June 1, 2011 in Vulcan. He is inured at the Vulcan Cemetery Columbarium.
If friends so desire, donations in Tony’s memory can be made to the Vulcan Health Care Auxiliary Box 299 or the Vulcan Fire Department General Delivery Vulcan, T0L 2B0.
Funeral arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home telephone 403-485-2633. E-condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca