Obituary of Julius Joseph Mitsch

February 26, 1936 – Magyarpolany, Hungary

January 19, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Julius Mitsch, beloved husband of Geraldine (nee Conrod), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the age of 87 years.

Julius Mitsch was born in Magyarpolany, Hungary, to the late Mihaly (Mike) and Elizabeth Mitsch (nee Horvath). After WWII, the family spent time in Taucha, Germany, and Donauworth, Germany, before immigrating to Canada in 1950. Arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS, they were classified as a ‘Sugar Beet Family’ and started the next leg of their journey, boarding a train to Alberta to offer much needed support to the agriculture industry in post war Canada.

They arrived in Vauxhall, AB, and were put to work hoeing sugar beets. The family eventually saved enough to buy their own land and start a farm and cow calf operation. Julius briefly attended Taber High School but realized that a worker was more valuable to the family than an academic, so he left school to help with the family farm. This proved to be hard with little return, so he aspired for much bigger things and set off to Calgary, AB. Blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit and incredible work ethic, he went into business, first in joint ventures with his cousin, and then partnering with his brother in construction. He eventually founded his own building company.

Over several decades, he built beautiful homes for families and added to Calgary's cityscape with commercial structures as well. He quite literally left his mark on the city by being instrumental in redeveloping old communities and defining new ones with his talents as a builder.

A fabulous ballroom dancer, he frequented local dances where he met his wife Geraldine, and they were married in 1968.

An avid outdoorsman, on the rare occasion he took time off work, he’d head out to the mountains to enjoy a very full day of fishing in his boat with whomever he could cajole into a 6:00 a.m. start time and solid sixteen-hour day; anything worth doing had to be done right, with full conviction and attention to detail. No fishing destination was ever too far or too difficult to reach.

He enjoyed camping in luxury with his RV but oddly, and to the frustration of Geri and their kids, only the most remote and rustic of locations would do. The favorite destination was always the mountains or the British Columbia interior. In his later years, he made several trips back to Europe to visit family and reconnect. This was reciprocated by several cousins who made visits to Canada to enjoy his hospitality and enthusiasm for all that he loved about western Canada; mountains, lakes, rodeos, and of course fishing.

Providing for his family was of utmost importance to him but when he did find time to wind down, it was with a cold beer enjoying a hockey game on TV or sitting outside. Local kids fondly remember the thrill rides around the ‘circle’ on the back of his motorbike or in the box of the truck. Games of Risk and Crib with friends were other favorite activities.

Having overcome great hardship and a childhood negatively impacted by the global politics of the time, his determination and hard work allowed him to accomplish much in his adult life. Of this we are proud and exceptionally grateful. His memory is treasured by his family and his brick-and-mortar legacy will be enjoyed by Calgarians for decades to come. A life of hard work and a peaceful rest well earned.

Left to appreciate his efforts and honor his memory are his wife, Geraldine of Calgary, AB, son Michael (Cathy) of Salmon Arm, B.C, daughter Katherine of Calgary, AB, sister Margaret Savitsky of Edmonton, AB, sister-in-law Dorothy of Calgary, AB, brother-in-law Cameron (Mary) Conrod of Nova Scotia, seven nephews, four nieces, and extended family throughout Canada and Europe. He was predeceased by brothers Ernie, and James, and sister Mary.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 – 18th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6).

In living memory of Julius Mitsch, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.