David Leonard Manz
January 16, 1935 – December 9, 2022
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Dave Manz announces his sudden, but peaceful passing at the Barrhead Hospital on December 9th at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family. Dave was born on January 16, 1935 in Lamont Alberta, the oldest of three boys, to Leonard & Doris Manz. Setting the bar high in serious work ethic, his father worked seven days a week as owner/operator of a butcher shop, while his mother kept the books and raised the boys. After the family moved to Barrhead, at 16 years of age Dave began apprenticing at Sveen’s Auto Electric full-service garage, and subsequently became a licensed mechanic. In 1956 Dave married his high school sweetheart Lorraine Frankson, Ronnie was born in 1957, followed by daughter Donna in 1959 and Kenny in 1960. Hockey Night in Canada was a ritual, and the Edmonton Oilers was his favorite team. Both his sons played hockey growing up and for a few years Dave enjoyed coaching, incorporating drills he had learned from Howie Meeker on TV. After too many exhaust fumes necessitated a change in career path, he bought a truck and Blue Heron Transport Ltd. was born. Dave drove, serviced and repaired his own truck(s) and Lorraine kept the books. With his sheer tenacity, hard work ethic, and many long hours, the business grew and flourished. Dave & Lorraine enjoyed camping and playing cards (smear) with their childhood turned lifelong friends, even taking trips to the Yukon with their RV’s, and later an Alaskan cruise. At the Barrhead Legion in 2006 along with family and friends they celebrated their 50th Anniversary. In closing, “To make a long story short” Dave had a good sense of humor, enjoyed “blowing the foam off a few” with friends, dancing with his wife, partridge hunting in the fall, and spending time with his 3 kids & their families, which include 8 Grandchildren & 7 Great Grandchildren. His integrity, common sense, “call a spade a spade”, honest to a fault example of how to live a good life served him well and he was respected, admired, and loved.
Dave is survived by daughter, Donna Zubot (Bryan); son, Ken Manz (Lois); 8 Grandchildren, Darren Manz (Abbi), Darrell Manz (Billie), Josh Loitz (Courtney), Gina Loitz (Barry), Evan Zubot, Shaun Yonkers (Heather), Noah Manz, and Regan Manz (Skyler); 7 great-grandchildren, Arianna, Elsi, Ryan, Ronnie, Jack, Oliver, and Leah.
Dave was predeceased by his Father Leonard Manz (1961), Mother Doris Manz (1999), Son Ron Manz (2011), Brother Jim Manz (2018), Wife of 63 years, Lorraine Manz (2020), Brother Carl Manz (2021).
Should you wish, donations can be made in his memory to The Diabetes Association or The Barrhead Cancer Center.
A celebration of Life was held at the Rose Garden Chapel in Barrhead at 1:00 pm on December 21, 2022.
