JÖRG DETLEF HERRMANN

Jörg Detlef Herrmann, 83, an oral historian and true original, took his last train ride November 2, 2022 in Russell, Manitoba after an extended period of declining health.

Known as Opa, Jörg, Uncle Joerg, George, and Schwager to his Ukrainian in-laws, he impressed people throughout his life as a natural leader: as a semi-professional soccer player, a multi-facetted tradesman, and a business owner—he was admired by family & friends and colleagues of his old school values, integrity, and honesty.

Jörg was born April 1, 1939 in Berlin, Germany to Otto and Martha (Geisler) Herrmann.

Jörg's father was captured by Russian soldiers in 1944 and was a Prisoner of War, in the Ural Mountains, during his school aged years. Til Jörg was 11 years old he was the man of house. His mother Martha, tended to the survival of Jörg and herself during WWII and until the return of Otto in 1949.

To this day, he would tell of the air raid shelters, the bombing raids, the fear of the adults around them, the hurt and wounded, the bombed buildings. The whistling and hissing noises of the bombs — so real; unforgettable. A vivid memory he shared: a bomb raid over Berlin hit the building to which they were residing. In the basement shelter, as they hid, a bomb hit the apartment block loosening the structure of the building. In the basement Martha dove over Opa to save him as a steel beam fell and was entombed by debris — Martha hospitalized.

He was raised with the support of not only his mother, but Tante Marcian, Grandmother Helene, and Great Grandmother (Babucia) Mari(anna) as they all lived in the same building on different floors. Times were tough during the war, so Jörg became increasingly resourceful. As a child living in Berlin during/post WWII he suffered from hunger, bomb attacks, loss of family members (an Uncle), separation, and fear of death.

The streets of Berlin laden in ruins and ashes after May 8, 1945, the city began to rebuild. Schools were held in Beer Parlours. In his middle/senior years he was educated in Berlin as a Rohrleger-pipefitter. An acceptance letter on intent from the Canadian Government for employment arrived before being conscripted to the three year service as a soldier in Germany army. These events instilled in him a deep and enduring sense of work ethic, self-sufficiency, and family loyalty that only increased as his life advanced.

Upon his arrival to Canada in 1960 on the oceanliner SS Arkadia. Not speaking a word of English — he was placed on a train, sent to Brandon Manitoba, and then stationed in St. Lazare (French Community) — where lifelong, and meaningful friendships were created.

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He worked for private firms, the provincial government, and then decided he wanted to become his own boss, owing and operating George’s Plbg & Heating in Rossburn, Manitoba. 

Jörg and Adell met at a local dance, which then became history. They were married in 1967. Being a natural craftsman. he constructed and built their family home on Parkview Drive. He fulfilled two terms on Council for the town of Rossburn, along with ten years to the Marquette/Assiniboine Health Region employed as Maintenance personnel while managing his private firm.

His outspoken, direct humour carried him through life. Admittedly, he was a lover of great outdoors, hours of fishing in Northern Manitoba (with Lezslo and Grace), curling (with Wally in Vista), ‘50 cars and music of all genres, playing cribbage, and was always one of the most entertaining — where ever you had the pleasure of being with him. Jörg and Adell never missed a family function, celebration, reunion; Family always came first. He loved the History Channel, international affairs, and could have taught courses on WWII — having lived it in his youth.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

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