Obituary of Melvin Haas

On July 1, 2023 Canada Day, Melvin Haas peacefully passed away surrounded by loving family in his home in Wainwright, Alberta after an extensive battle with cancer.

Mel was a content, happy man who prided himself on honesty. He was born in Russell Manitoba and his early life became difficult when his father Jake passed away in a grain elevator incident when he was only ten years of age. His mother, Emelia, raised him and his older sister Marjorie with the help of family members. Despite this difficulty, Mel completed his high school education and worked as a teacher, an elevator constructor, a bank teller, and retired at 53 from TransAlta Utilities after working for 30 years. After retiring, he worked reading power meters for TransAlta, worked a summer at road maintenance, then at a local car wash whose owner was an old work mate and friend from TransAlta.

Mel was passionate with only a few of life’s pleasures - hunting, fishing, and camping were at the top of his favorite activities. Even when he was very young, his favorite memories involved fishing. He read thousands of novels including fiction and non-fiction. The sports channel was almost always on the TV at night. Mel was skillful in billiards with an assortment of trophies behind his name, both at the provincial and national level. In his later years Mel and his wife Helen anticipated the warm weather that awaited them in Mesa, Arizona. Mel could also be found berry picking in the summer evening to brew quality homemade wine then generously sharing his labors with his friends. He quietly loved his family with a confident patience that could be felt and trusted. Mel lived his faith in Jesus quietly, like many of his personal convictions and opinions.

Melvin is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years Helen Haas, children Brenda Murphy (husband Rob McLeod, grandchild Isaiah), Lorne Haas (grandchild Janaiya), Jason Haas (wife Rebekah, grandchildren Zachariah, Nathan, Hezekiah, and Elisha), Jennifer Ky (husband Phong, grandchildren Christian, Gabriella, and Grace), Debra Rose (husband Chris Rose), and sister Marjorie Eckert (husband Garfield Eckert and nephews Bruce, Randall, Glenn, and Kenneth). He was predeceased by his father and mother, Jake and Emelia Haas.

The funeral will be held at the Prairie Rose Senior Centre 731 2 ave, Friday July 14 at 14:00. Refreshments and snacks will be provided after the service. Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.