Obituary of NICHOLAS HILDEBRAND

NICHOLAS N. HILDEBRAND Nick passed away on January 24, 2016 just 2 days before his 97th birthday... a long rich life. He was predeceased by Rose in 2003 after more than 60 years of marriage, and by brother Jack in 1990. He is survived by 2 sisters….Helen Fast of St. Catharines, Ontario and by Betty (Hamm) Bright of Campbellford, Ontario and by brother Peter of St. Jacobs, Ontario, and by a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. Nicholas Hildebrand was born in the Ukraine on January 26, 1919 to Helena (nee Reimer) and Nicholas Jacob Hildebrand. Nick spent his early childhood in the village where his parents and maternal grandparents lived. In 1925, at age 6, he immigrated to Canada with his parents and 2 younger siblings. His mother tongue was German and he remembered what it was like to go to school without knowing a word of English. An older cousin accompanied him to school on the first day and later had to bring him back when he hiked home at recess, thinking school was over. At first, the Hildebrands lived in Southern Manitoba at Morden and then Rosenort, near relatives who had immigrated many years earlier. About 1930 they relocated to Gretna where Dad hoped to get his teaching certification, but that did not come about for whatever reason. Meanwhile 2 additional children were born into the family. About 1933 they moved to Winnipeg. When Nick was about 9 or 10 years old, he had the opportunity to go to a children’s summer camp sponsored by the Canadian Sunday School Mission. Children who memorized a given number of Bible verses in a year (several hundred, I believe) could attend camp for a week. Nick took this seriously and attended camp. Along with camping fun that week, there was Christian teaching and many of the children, including Nick, accepted Jesus as their Saviour. He told me that is when he became a Christian. As immigrants and through the Depression, the family was poor and lived frugally. Jobs for men were scarce but Dad became custodian for the church they attended. His salary was “free” housing for the family in a small 3-room house behind the church. Mother went to work for the Goodwill Industry, mending and remaking clothes donated for resale in the Thrift Store. If she came across something suitable to remake for her own children, she would buy it for a pittance from her meagre salary of $1.00 a day. The younger generation was seemingly unaware of “poverty” but our parents and the older children definitely felt it. Our parents were determined that their children go to school. Nick received his education in Manitoba schools. After finishing grade 11, he went to work in an auto body shop called “Teardrop Motors”, doing whatever he was asked to do. On occasion, he even slept in the shop overnight as watchman. That’s what it meant to be adaptable! Because he was interested in his work, he learned the trade well and became a topnotch mechanic. He was dependable, worked in a quiet manner, and took pride in his accomplishments. Auto body mechanics became his life’s occupation. In 1942 he was married to Rose Wlasichuk from Hampton, Saskatchewan. The following year he was called up for military service. Because of his pacifist stance, he registered as a Conscientious Objector. He was assigned to work in a lumber camp in Kapuskasing, Ontario as his Alternative Service for the winter of 1943. While he was away, Rose lived with Nick’s family in Winnipeg. From Teardrop Motors he transferred to Consolidated Motors, a much bigger business on Main Street. After many years on the job, he had a serious knee injury requiring surgery. Recovery was slow and the knee joint continued to cause pain. Naturally, this made his work more difficult. Because of this occupational handicap, he was directed to look into teaching his trade. He went back to school to get his teaching credentials. His teaching career at Red River College lasted for 19 years until retirement in 1984. When he started teaching at Red River College, there was little or nothing in the way of texts to guide the students in learning about auto body mechanics. So Nick and two of his colleagues decided to write a text for their trade. In the 1970’s, they spent countless hours writing, editing and publishing the needed text book, titled “Principles of Auto Body Repair and Repainting”. Growing demand for such a text, led to several revisions in the next 10 years. I know of 4 revised editions in which Nick was involved. Recently I discovered from the internet that this book has been translated into Spanish and is still in circulation. Besides teaching, he spent much time “fixing wrecked cars” and improving houses where he and Rose were living. When the renovations were complete, they would sell and relocate. They also enjoyed summer weekends at the Whiteshell Provincial Park starting off at White Lake later relocating to Brereton Lake finally ending up at Bird River Campground camping in their first home-made trailer then progressing to a factory built one. Nick and Rose enjoyed their boating , fishing and birdwatching. Family relationships were always important. Although they had no children of their own, nieces and nephews were “special” to Nick and Rose. They always attended celebrations like christenings, weddings and annual family gatherings such as summer picnics and Christmas parties. They did their share of hosting such events, too. These activities helped strengthen family ties. About the time of Nick’s retirement in 1984 Rose was beginning to show early signs of dementia, gradually needing more and more of Nick’s attention. By 1998, Nick was unable to look after her at home and she was admitted to Holy Family Home for personal care. Adjustment to the Nursing Home was equally hard for both of them. Whenever Nick visited, and he did so daily for quite a while, Rose was determined to go home with him. Later, when he took her for an occasional outing, she resisted returning to the Home. But perhaps the most difficult change for Nick to accept, was the fact that she no longer recognized him as her husband after so many years of marriage. Rose passed away in July, 2003. What we appreciated about Nick and Rose was their devotion to each other. Their mutual love and respect was to be admired. From the year 2002, Nick’s health was being challenged. First there was a back problem that affected his walking. At times his legs just gave out, resulting in unexpected falls wherever he happened to be. This happened occasionally when walking to Holy Family to visit Rose. The orthopedic surgeon recommended a laminectomy and spinal fusion. This procedure relieved the leg pain considerably but necessitated the use of a walker for safety. Then he had prostate problems and in 2006 at age 87 he had major surgery for cancer of the colon. It was amazing to see his recovery from each of these challenges but each took its toll on his physical and mental resources. It was tragic when he fell in hospital and fractured his hip on New Year’s Eve 2008. The fracture was repaired but his motivation to recovery was gone. He never walked again and spent the rest of his days in a wheelchair. In February of 2009 he was transferred to Holy Family Home for personal care. We as family appreciated the compassionate care he received there. At first he enjoyed some of the special functions planned for the residents……musical programs by the Ukrainian choir, Christmas parties and picnics on the grounds in summer. But the novelty of these activities wore off and Nick was reluctant to attend. Over the last years we were saddened to see the gradual decline….we sensed confusion and departure from reality. .. ..even then we felt he still recognized us. We have rich memories of times when conversation was animated as he spoke whether in low German or English. We like to think of his achievements and good times enjoyed together. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m. in Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Nicholas's memory to Holy Family Personal Care Home or to a charity on one's choice.