October 4, 1928 – January 30, 2023
Mr. Bernie Ackermann “Bernie the Barber” of High River, Alberta passed away peacefully at the High River Hospital on January 30, 2023 at the age of 94 years. Bernie is survived by his sons David (Glynis) and Stefan (Lisa), and daughter Susan (Wayne); grandchildren Kaity (Tyson), Gillian, Marcus, and Bryce; great-grandchildren Olive and Poppy; sister Elisabeth (Josef) and brother Alois; along with many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews in Germany; and lifelong friend Belf Quon. Bernie was predeceased by his beloved wife, Josefa (Sefa), and brothers Josef and Gerhard.
Bernie was born in Rothaus, Neisse, Germany on October 4, 1928. He learned his trade as a barber at 14 years. He worked in the German coal mines for a couple of years, then packed his bags and headed to Canada to work as a lumberjack in Ontario. He went back to barbering in Saskatchewan and Ontario, and then joined the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I.) airborne battalion in Edmonton and Calgary. In 1961, Bernie went back to Germany, met and married Sefa, while serving as a driver for the British Army. Bernie and Sefa moved back to Canada in 1963, where Bernie returned to barbering in Calgary, before settling in High River, running Bernie’s Barbershop and Billiard Hall from 1963 to 1981. After retiring from barbering, Bernie was a security guard at the High River Hospital.
Bernie was active in the community – he served a term on High River Town Council starting in 1977, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Active 20-30 Club, Glee Club, Friendship Centre, and St. Francis de Sales choir group for many years. He was a daily fixture at the High River Hospital’s Long Term Care unit to be with Sefa in her final years.
Bernie loved driving around town to see what was going on and to see, speak, smile, and wave to everyone he knew. A kind man with a big smile and friendly words, he will be greatly missed by everyone at the Medicine Tree Manor, and by everyone who knew and loved him.
Bernie’s family would like to thank all the wonderful and caring staff at the Medicine Tree Manor and High River Hospital.
Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society- https://cancer.ca or High River & District Health Care Foundation – www.highriverhealthfoundation.ca, 560 9th Avenue SW, High River AB T1V 1B3. A Funeral Mass was held on February 11, 2023, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. To send condolences, please visit www.lylereeves.com/. Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (Craig Snodgrass) 403.652.4242
https://highrivertimes.remembering.ca/obituary/bernhard-ackermann-1087162260
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