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 9th, 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.
