Dad's Eulogy - Andrew's Portion

It took a while for me to get around to it, but here's my portion of my dad's eulogy that Mike, Danelle, and I shared at his memorial service.

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Opening Comments

A full funeral is a sign of a man who loved and was loved.

Don was a man of integrity, a faithful friend, a hard worker, and above all a man who sought to honor God in all he did.

                               

He was a family man, who dearly loved his wife Bev, his children Andrew, Michael, Danelle, and their spouses (Marie, Shawna, and Paul), along with his grandchildren Cheyanne, Emmersen, Isabella, Mason, Josiah, Joelle, and Olivia.

Dad’s Life Story

Donald Henry Haak was born June 13, 1958 to Edward and Elisabeth Haak in Abbotsford, BC.  He was a younger brother to Dennis and an older brother to Lorne, Gord and Betty-Lou.

For his first few years, the family lived in a home along Huntington Rd and attended Matsqui MB Church.  His father at this time was in construction and was often away for long periods of time. Nonetheless, there were times when the family was able to join their father near the worksite and Don spoke fondly of his time in Comox where they lived by the ocean. In fact, he relayed a story recently about how his mom had to collect all the little crabs that would crawl out of their pockets after they gone to sleep.

In 1963 the family moved to an acreage in Mt. Lehman to be near the dairy farm operated by Ed’s parents. Four years later, when Ed’s parents retired from farming, Ed and Elisabeth chose to purchase the farm and soon moved the family onto the property.   

As a child Don attended Mt. Lehman Elementary School. When he was 11 he came into his parents’ bedroom and said that he wanted to be saved. His parents shared, read from the Bible, and prayed with him and from then point forward, Don followed Jesus.  

Don would go on to attend MEI for high school. It was in grade nine when Bev Martins first caught his eye, but it was not until grade 11 that they started to date. Some of their fondest memories of dating high school were singing together in concert choir and Bev cheering at Don’s basketball games. It was also during this time that Don followed Jesus in obedience by being baptized.

After high school Don attend Fraser Valley College for one year as he pursued agricultural studies, and then spent a year at Winkler Bible School in Manitoba.

Returning to Abbotsford, it was a couple months later in June 1978 when Don asked for Bev’s hand in marriage, and they were engaged at Mill Lake.  Don and Bev were married October 9^th, 1978 and made their first home on Schroeder Ave near the family farm. It was at this home that their family grew and their three children were born to them.

That same year they got married, Don started working on the family dairy farm full-time. In 1997, Don took over the farm when his father retired. This coincided with moving the entire farming operation from Mt. Lehman to Enderby, a daunting yet successful transition. The joy of this new adventure was tainted by the grief of his mother’s death in the spring of 1999.

While he lived in Mt. Lehman, he was involved in the community by coaching his children’s softball teams. Don and Bev enjoyed serving together at East Aldergrove MB Church whether it was through music, Sunday School or being involved in care groups. Looking back, Bev has fond memories of Don walking home from work, singing and conducting to himself, waving his arms to music only he was hearing.

In Enderby, Don continued to serve within the local church – Enderby Evangelical Chapel - by leading Sunday morning music, serving as an elder, working with the youth, and followed his passion to teach others about God through care groups. He was also involved in the community, serving for a number of years on the KODA board, the Kamloops Okanagan Dairy Association.

When he wasn’t farming, Don enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing and sports such as basketball, tennis, and golf.

More recently he discovered a passion for motorbiking, often taking the Harley out for a ride with Bev, as well as woodworking, creating big and small projects for the home and for family.

But first and foremost, was Don’s love for God and his love for his family: his wife, his children and their spouses, and his grandkids. He was proud to see all of his children choose to follow Jesus at a young age and start families of their own centered on Christ.

 Personal Portion

At this time, us three kids will share a little about what our father meant to us. Because I’ve done all the talking so far, I’m going to keep my thoughts brief.

I loved watching my father live. I learned everything I needed to know from him on how to be a man, how to be a husband and how to be a father. Further, he showed me everyday what it meant to follow Jesus. To me, he epitomizes the core of what it means to be a Christian: love God and love others. It’s his example in my life that I draw from as a pastor.

My dad supported us when our son Josiah was in the hospital and he comforted us when Josiah died. I will never forget the depth of his grief, but also the depth of his love for Marie and I and for our two children.

While our grief is devastating, our hope is mesmerizing.  We look forward to the day when all things will be made new, when all sorrow is removed and our family is whole again in God’s presence.

Until then, I will miss his wisdom and ability to listen so much. Even more, I will miss his broad smile, his infectious laughter, and his strong embrace.