Remembering Hugo Bartz (Part 2): Life in Canada

Yesterday I started to share the story of my grandfather, Hugo Bartz, as recounted by my mother in a speech at his 90th birthday party on February 20, 1993. This is the continuation:

In 1928, Dad made another wise decision - to immigrate to Canada. It was not easy, but Dad was able to make all the necessary arrangements. We left Kremnanke, Ukraine, by train to Moscow on November 13, 1928, and arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, on December 13, 1928 - exactly one month later.

The first Bartz son [Theodore] was born in the Ukraine. The family continued to grow and five more sons and two more daughters were born in Canada. Everybody kept busy. We moved many times in those early years, but mostly in the Edmonton area. In the late 1930's, Dad started building dairy barns, for Emil Riske, Adolph Harke, and others. He was paid $3 a day. His helpers, $1 a day!

In 1942, he got his first contract, to build a barn 70 feet by 36 feet for $2000. This was for Emma Schultz. Dad also started building houses in the Edmonton area and in Clyde, Morinville and Westlock, Alberta.

In 1956, Dad and Mom and the youngest son, Bob, moved to Kelowna. Dad bought an old chicken hatching building, where he started a sash and door factory [Glenmore Millwork]. Bob was still going to high school, but he did the bookkeeping for Dad and also helped with the woodwork.

They enjoyed living in Kelowna [where the climate was much milder than in Edmonton]. Family and friends often came to visit, especially in the summer time. Mom was always happy to have guests at mealtime.

In 1964, Mom Bartz had a stroke, leaving her partly paralyzed. Dad was not able to find someone who could look after Mom, so in 1965 he sold the business to Ron [his second youngest son, who had moved to Kelowna to help him] and Dad was able to care for Mom. Dad was an excellent care-giver - compassionate and enduring. Mom passed away on November 28, 1966, at the age of 71.

Almost a year later, on November 25,1967, Dad married Helene Horn, a widow living here in Kelowna. They had a good life together for over 20 years. A few years ago, Helene had a stroke and her health gradually deteriorated. Dad patiently helped care for her. On August 5, 1992, Helene passed away at age 87. 

Dad continues to look after himself. He knows what herbal remedies to use for various ailments. He enjoys his home-cooked meals and still makes his own yogurt. He still enjoys going to Glenmore Millwork to see how Ron is doing, and perhaps he can sharpen a saw or do something useful. That's what makes him happy.

We are thankful that he is able to enjoy life to the full. We wish you a very happy 90th birthday, Dad, and many more to come!

[The photos above were taken in Canada, about 10 years apart. The top photo was taken about 1938, before Bob, the youngest son, was born. The second, about 10 years later, before Ted - the oldest Bartz son, back row in the middle, died of diabetes complications.]