Daniel Paul Pospischil

One minute he was a little boy playing soccer in his play clothes, his wool sweater and pants already with holes and the next he was being shipped out with only those clothes for having a German mother and a Czech father.  Such was the life of many in Europe during World War II.   Daniel Paul Pospischil was born January 6, 1935 in what was previously Czechoslovakia.   Despite the hardships or maybe because of, Daniel was a very quiet, gracious, thoughtful and kind man.  He was a skilled finishing carpenter and at the invitation of his Uncle Paul Sterzik, happily came to Canada in the 1950s to spend years travelling around British Columbia working on building new schools with Gustafus Construction.

In 1960 it was at a spontaneous costume house party that he would meet his future wife, Hertha Henne, the Sofia Loren of Vernon.  The only thing the party goers had in common was that they were poor young European immigrants who came to Canada seeking peace and prosperity.   Hertha was the host of the party because she had the tiny apartment, a turntable and the benefit of the newest records from her job at CJIB.  She was dressed as a Frenchman complete with painted-on pencil moustache and beret.  He was dressed as an Arabian. Danny stole her beret when he left her party with the calculated plan of having an excuse to return it a week later when he would be back in town.  Their first date was at the drive-in theatre, which Hertha agreed to because he had a car and from her job at CJIB, she had free tickets to the drive in.  It was a match made at Vernon’s Star Light Drive In and the two were married on a cold 12th of January 1963 in Vernon.  Their reception was to be held at the Round Up Restaurant, but it burnt down just before the wedding so their reception was held at what is now Kiki Gardens.

It was the immigrant way to help each other out and with that, Danny worked on many houses of friends and at the same time they helped Danny build two houses for himself and Hertha. He was happiest with his bees, cattle, camping, fishing, the Holy Bible and a game of Rummikub.  

Before building their second house, Hertha and Danny took 18 months off to live and travel in Europe staying in the apartment her mother specifically built for the “Canadians”.   The happy couple enjoyed their extended honeymoon and returned home to Vernon ready to build their dream home on acreage in Coldstream.    

As a child, Danny contracted Rheumatic Fever which decades later would present itself as a heart-valve defect – an unfortunate and common condition affecting 13% of adults who did not have the benefit of vaccines prior to 1943.   Danny received a heart-valve replacement and was grateful for all the medical services provided by our healthcare system.  

Danny was surrounded by the love and care of good friends, Elaine, Richard, Nick and Candace, his Irish Family-the Podanowskis (Eileen, Sheila and Maureen), his brother in law Gunther Henne, Niece Tania and so many many Christadelphian Brethren.   Because of this love and concern, Hertha was able to lovingly care for Danny at home for as long as possible.

Daniel Paul Pospischil is survived by his devoted wife of almost 59 years, Hertha, his brother-in-law Gunther Henne, Niece Tania (Andreas) Henne, Grand Niece Katja, Nephew Eric Henne, Cousin Marian Sterzik all in Canada as well as numerous relatives in Germany.   Daniel Pospischil was pre-deceased by his Mother, Karoline (Karla) Pospischil and his Sister Alma-Ruth Wedig in Germany.  

With the current Pandemic and impassable road conditions, a service will be delayed until Spring 2022.  

We are thankful for the care Danny received through the Interior Community Health, VJH, and the North Okanagan Hospice. Flowers are gratefully declined, but those who would like to may donate to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation in Danny’s name.

Arrangements in care of Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, Vernon, BC.