CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR FREE EXPRESSIO
C-FAR | 03.03.2004 04:14
From : C-FAR
Sent : February 26, 2004 2:08:32 AM
To :
cafe@canadafirst.net
Subject : ZUNDEL'S EULOGY FOR GERHARD HASS
| | | Inbox
Dear Free Speech Suppporter:
Gerhard Hass (December 26, 1933-February 15, 2004) had been a longtime friend and supporter of Ernst Zundel and the cause of free speech. First during the detention hearings in Niagara Falls and, later, in the detention review in Federal Court, Mr. Hass volunteered his home for Ernst Zundel to stay at should he be released from prison.
On February 19, over 50 family, business and political friends of Mr. Hass gathered in Etobicoke for his funeral. Ernst Zundel sent the following eulogy which was somewhat edited by the family. The text below was what I was proud to read on Ernst Zundel's behalf at Mr. Hass's funeral. I think you'll agree that it's a touching and moving appreciation of a friend and a tribute, not only to Mr. Hass, but to Mr. Zundel's power as a writer.
Paul Fromm
Director
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR FREE EXPRESSION
______________________
A Eulogy Dedicated to My Friend Comrade Gerhard Hass, February 19, 2004.
Gerhard Hass was an uncomplicated man, a man without pretences. Gerhard was not really a man of many words. But when he spoke, what he said was of substance and well thought out.
I like that about my friend! He was not frivolous. There was no fluff about him and, yet, he had an infectious smile and an endearing twinkle in his eyes.
We would often share a simple meal together, usually on a Friday when he would come by my house and leave us a box or a carton of sausage ends or burst sausages, some wieners, ham, salami and of course Schwartenmagen, one of my favourites.
We would sit many a time just the two of us in our big dining room, and I would ask him about what book he was reading and invariably, my friend, whom to the rest of the world was the man in the white count, they would call him erroneously their "butcher friend", would tell me about another fat book, 400-500 pages thick about the war, history or politics that he was "plowing" through at the time.
He was storehouse of knowledge and also wisdom. He was also thoughtful in his responses, never rash and never vindictive, not even to those who had slighted him or hurt him.
I never saw Gerhard fly off the handle. We would talk about our families. We had sons about the same age. We would talk about home life.
Loyalty to his German heritage and loyalty to me, his friend, who was somewhat younger than Gerhard, was the hallmark of this man of few words but many thoughts - clear and concise thoughts, to be sure. He was a German to the core.
His word, once given, was his bond. To be honourable and fair to all who came in contact with him, in business or in private life, was his credo.
In all the many decades we walked through this life together, I never heard one word of scandal about Gerhard Hass.
He raised his family, together with his wife, quietly, responsibly, again without a hint of scandal until today they are all grownups and like their father - and their mother - responsible citizens, enriching society at large with their talent and hard work.
Gerhard Hass, the German immigrant, was good for Canada. He made a positive contribution and Canada is a better place because Gerhard lived and toiled here.
All of us whose lives were touched or connected to this quiet but formidable man were enriched by the experience.
It is with great sadness that we must say our good-byes today of him.
It is one of my deep regrets that I cannot be there in person to pay my last respects to my friend of so many years.
We said our good-byes on the phone not too long ago and I have to admit that secretly, I hoped that it was premature.
My condolences expressed to the whole Hass family on behalf of my many friends go out to you.
I and all my friends near and far will remember Gerhard Hass in the years to come with reverence and respect.
We become immortal through our children and grandchildren.
Gerhard Hass, my friend, our comrade, we bow our heads before your coffin and grave. We salute you and we thank you for being part of us.
Ernst in Treuefeft und Ungebrochen.
Sent : February 26, 2004 2:08:32 AM
To :
cafe@canadafirst.net Subject : ZUNDEL'S EULOGY FOR GERHARD HASS
| | | Inbox
Dear Free Speech Suppporter:
Gerhard Hass (December 26, 1933-February 15, 2004) had been a longtime friend and supporter of Ernst Zundel and the cause of free speech. First during the detention hearings in Niagara Falls and, later, in the detention review in Federal Court, Mr. Hass volunteered his home for Ernst Zundel to stay at should he be released from prison.
On February 19, over 50 family, business and political friends of Mr. Hass gathered in Etobicoke for his funeral. Ernst Zundel sent the following eulogy which was somewhat edited by the family. The text below was what I was proud to read on Ernst Zundel's behalf at Mr. Hass's funeral. I think you'll agree that it's a touching and moving appreciation of a friend and a tribute, not only to Mr. Hass, but to Mr. Zundel's power as a writer.
Paul Fromm
Director
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR FREE EXPRESSION
______________________
A Eulogy Dedicated to My Friend Comrade Gerhard Hass, February 19, 2004.
Gerhard Hass was an uncomplicated man, a man without pretences. Gerhard was not really a man of many words. But when he spoke, what he said was of substance and well thought out.
I like that about my friend! He was not frivolous. There was no fluff about him and, yet, he had an infectious smile and an endearing twinkle in his eyes.
We would often share a simple meal together, usually on a Friday when he would come by my house and leave us a box or a carton of sausage ends or burst sausages, some wieners, ham, salami and of course Schwartenmagen, one of my favourites.
We would sit many a time just the two of us in our big dining room, and I would ask him about what book he was reading and invariably, my friend, whom to the rest of the world was the man in the white count, they would call him erroneously their "butcher friend", would tell me about another fat book, 400-500 pages thick about the war, history or politics that he was "plowing" through at the time.
He was storehouse of knowledge and also wisdom. He was also thoughtful in his responses, never rash and never vindictive, not even to those who had slighted him or hurt him.
I never saw Gerhard fly off the handle. We would talk about our families. We had sons about the same age. We would talk about home life.
Loyalty to his German heritage and loyalty to me, his friend, who was somewhat younger than Gerhard, was the hallmark of this man of few words but many thoughts - clear and concise thoughts, to be sure. He was a German to the core.
His word, once given, was his bond. To be honourable and fair to all who came in contact with him, in business or in private life, was his credo.
In all the many decades we walked through this life together, I never heard one word of scandal about Gerhard Hass.
He raised his family, together with his wife, quietly, responsibly, again without a hint of scandal until today they are all grownups and like their father - and their mother - responsible citizens, enriching society at large with their talent and hard work.
Gerhard Hass, the German immigrant, was good for Canada. He made a positive contribution and Canada is a better place because Gerhard lived and toiled here.
All of us whose lives were touched or connected to this quiet but formidable man were enriched by the experience.
It is with great sadness that we must say our good-byes today of him.
It is one of my deep regrets that I cannot be there in person to pay my last respects to my friend of so many years.
We said our good-byes on the phone not too long ago and I have to admit that secretly, I hoped that it was premature.
My condolences expressed to the whole Hass family on behalf of my many friends go out to you.
I and all my friends near and far will remember Gerhard Hass in the years to come with reverence and respect.
We become immortal through our children and grandchildren.
Gerhard Hass, my friend, our comrade, we bow our heads before your coffin and grave. We salute you and we thank you for being part of us.
Ernst in Treuefeft und Ungebrochen.
C-FAR