Frederick MOERSCH

Obituary of Frederick John MOERSCH

June 5, 1926 – Saint Ingbert, Germany 

June 10, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

 

Frederick Moersch of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at the age of 94 years.

Fred was born in St. Ingbert, Germany on June 5, 1926, to Adolph and Maria Moersch. He was the oldest of seven siblings. As a child, he lived above the Moersch family-owned pub, amid the chaos of economic depression and political instability of pre-war Germany. His father, and baby brother Bernard, died in a car accident in 1940. This event left 14 year old Fred the immense responsibility, shared with his mother, of caring and providing for his remaining brothers and sister. This was a position that would define his lifelong role as an individual who always put the needs of those around him ahead of his own.

In late 1942, at the age of 16, Fred was drafted and spent two years in the German navy. Upon returning home, he found work, where he could, to support his family. Fred immigrated to Canada with his brother Frank in 1952. In Winnipeg, they found work with the Canadian National Railway, each earning seventy-four cents an hour. They quickly moved on to more lucrative employment in Moose Jaw, then Revelstoke before finally settling in Calgary in 1959, which would become Fred’s home for the next sixty-one years.

In 1963, after a brief courtship, Fred married Sarah (fondly known as Sally) and moved into the new community of Brentwood, where they raised their two sons. Fred worked as a plumber for his entire working life and also had a steady and capable grasp of carpentry, electrical and automotive skills. He was always busy with some renovation or project, whether necessary or not. While he loved to work with his hands building and fixing things, he also loved to study history. He had little interest in movies, television sit-coms or dramas (British mysteries and German soaps excepted), but was an avid consumer of documentaries and a nightly viewer of the PBS News hour. He paid close attention to local and international political events holding strong progressive views, having been deeply affected by the terror and inhumanity he witnessed in Germany in the 30’s and 40’s. Fred and Sally travelled often, returning to visit family in Ireland and Germany, and enjoying adventures in cities too numerous to name across Europe, as well as North and Central America. For all his extensive travels, Fred was never more serene than when working on his Windermere cabin, built (almost) with his bare hands over many years of weekends starting in the late 1980’s. Furnished with thrift store finds, a shambolic yet welcoming mosaic of every interior design style of the second half of the 20th century, the cabin provided decades of relaxation and enjoyment for countless guests.

Fred and Sally continued to live in their home together until Sally, suffering from dementia, entered long-term care in 2013. Fred maintained his independence in Brentwood until the age of 90, when his house was destroyed by an accidental fire in 2017. The devastating loss of his home and everything he owned was mitigated by the joy he felt when he moved in to live with his son Peter, daughter-in-law Leslie, and grandson Oliver. Fred particularly loved the time he got to spend with his grandson. He frequently enjoyed visits with his son John and daughter-in-law Trish, where he would spend cherished time with his grand-daughters Talya and Allie. During this period he had regular visits with his brother Albert where they shared an enjoyment of British mysteries. His sister Theresa brought him home cooked meals every Sunday, and they spent the day visiting over coffee and cookies while watching German soap operas. Fred was a popular person and had constant visitors, from nephews to great nieces to new friends; Fred was rarely on his own.

Fred will be most remembered for his kind heart, generous nature, and deep love for, and commitment to, his family.

Fred is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Trish Moersch, and Peter Moersch and Leslie Munson; sister, Theresa Sponheimer, brother, Albert Moersch, and three grandchildren, Talya, Allie and Oliver. Fred is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly. Fred was predeceased by his beloved wife Sally Moersch, and brothers Frank, Henry, Bernard and Conrad Moersch.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Fred’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Fred’s chosen charities, The Brenda Strafford Foundation at www.thebsf.ca/get-involved/donate.html, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca, The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB  T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca,  The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com, or a charity of your choice. 

In living memory of Frederick Moersch, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB, T2E 2V6,  Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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