Obituary of MACK – Benjamin Josef

April 5, 1939 – October 16, 2010 Benjamin (Ben) Mack of Cochrane, Alberta went to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the age of 71 years. Ben was born in Poland. As a child he immigrated with his family to Colorado, USA in 1952. After deciding on a career as an educator, he moved to Edmonton, AB in 1961. In 1962 he was hired by the Edmonton Public School Board and worked for 34 years as a teacher, principal, and personnel officer. In 1979 he returned to Europe for one year as an exchange teacher in Bristol, England. Ben actively contributed to the churches he attended as a board member, choir member, and usher; he also volunteered on the board of the Shepherd’s Care Foundation in Edmonton. He enjoyed sports and was physically active throughout his life. Ben retired in 1996 and in 2000 he and Marga moved to Cochrane, where they enjoyed the spectacular mountains and life in a small town. With his family and as a couple, he took many trips throughout North America. He was a prankster, loved to laugh and was always ready for a game of cribbage! At the age of 12, Ben accepted Jesus as his personal saviour. And it is because of this one act of faith that today we can say with certainty that Ben is in heaven in the presence of Jesus. Ben, always the leader, would often say “I’m going. Is anybody coming?” Ben leaves to mourn his loving wife of 45 years, Marga; daughter Natalie, son Ben Jr. (Amanda), and grandsons Owen and Brody; sisters Wilma (Art) Molzahn, Edith Ritz; and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the Mack family requests that donations be made directly to the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan, 5704-11 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2K 5P3 Telephone: (1-888)-482-4253, www.gideons.ca or directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. In living memory of Benjamin Mack, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane Funeral Home, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE. Telephone: (403) 932-4740.