John Harach Sr.
Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather
Dad was born in Redberry, Saskatchewan on August 6th, 1932. He was one of 20 children who grew up in a very crowded one room home.
Born during the Great Depression, his family had to work extremely hard to make ends meet. When he left home, at the age of 18, he began working for the CN railroad. He worked his way over to the B.C. coast, and fell in love with the mountains and wilderness along the way.
He married our mom, Berta in 1956, and they quickly made their way up to the Yukon. Dad and two of his brothers, Harry and Bill, built a beautiful three-story house that eventually became known as “home” to seven children.
Dad worked in construction. He helped build the old hospital, the original F.H. Collins school, and Selkirk Street School. He worked on many other buildings throughout the Yukon. When he started to contract on his own, he helped demolish the original buildings at Canyon City. He wanted to save the lumber but it was too difficult to pull the nails out of the old wood. He quickly put his blasting skills to work and used dynamite to free the boards, and salvage ninety percent of the old lumber.
Dad worked hard to support his large family over the years. He owned a large trap line which he loved spending time on, and was very proud of the beautiful lynx and wolverine he caught. He loved hunting and fishing with his children as well as taking them out on his trap line.
Dad could pretty much do anything, carpentry, plumbing, welding, mechanics, metal working, hunting, fishing, gardening, sewing, and cooking. Anything you could think of, he could do it, or he would figure out how to. He was constantly dreaming up wondrous ideas from a very young age, until the day he passed.
He always enjoyed the opportunity to teach others, and share his knowledge. He loved helping is grandchildren whenever he could, teaching them about cars, construction, gardening, and pretty much everything else in between.
Dad always had a very strong relationship with God. The hardships that he faced throughout his life only reinforced his faith. He taught us a lot about the Church, and really encourage forgiveness, especially in his later years.
Predeceased by his eldest son, Nick, in 1976, and his wife Berta, in 1998, Dad is survived by his second wife, Mary Anne, eight siblings, six children and their spouses, one stepson, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
John will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will also forgive your offences,”.
