With a deep sense of loss, but hope, our family announces the passing of our father and grandfather Clifford Mervin Haberstock on January 14, 2022 at the age of 77.
Clifford was given life by his creator and was born on August 13, 1944, the youngest child of Frank and Dora Haberstock, of the R.M. of Churchbridge, Saskatchewan. On September 10, 1944 he received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. He confessed his baptismal faith in the rite of Confirmation and was admitted to the altar to receive the medicine of immortality, Christ’s life-giving body and blood. On July 11, 1971 He received the gift of a beloved companion in his wife Carol Fitz and was blessed with 44 years of married life together. God also blessed them with the gift of children, Corey Mark, David Paul, Rebecca Joy, and Naomi Joy. On August 1, 1971 he was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry in Christ’s Holy Church, having received our Lord’s Divine Call to be His under-shepherd. He served our Lord as the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort McMurray, AB, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Moose Jaw, SK, and Riverbend Lutheran Church, Edmonton, AB where he was blessed with many special people in his vocations at home, church, and in the community. This summer he celebrated 50 years of ministry.
Cliff was a patient and gentle man and some have told us, “he was a pastor even when people weren’t looking.” Together with Carol, he enjoyed spending time with family, which often meant time spent in his home province of Saskatchewan, as well as regular treks by car to the Central United States to visit Carol’s family. They relished travelling to destinations across Canada and the United States as well as Israel, Germany, Australia, Nicaragua and Cuba. In recent years he volunteered on the board of the Concordia Lutheran Mission Society. As life slowed down, he continued to enjoy his Louis L’Amour westerns, singing in church and community choirs and socializing with fellow church members and clergy. He often had cookies and chocolate on hand, which he happily shared with the grandchildren.
Finally, on January 14, 2022 God blessed him with a holy death and took him home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We give thanks to our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our brother Cliff.
Predeceased by his beloved wife, Carol, his sister Meta, brother Franklin, and an infant child, Rebecca, Cliff leaves to mourn his death with faith and hope through our Saviour Jesus, his loving family: sons, Corey (Gina) and David (Lise); daughter Naomi (Dennis) Begoray; and grandchildren Peter, Flora, Iyla, Rebekah and Alec; brother Harvey (Lorraine); sister-in-law Carol; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Carol’s extended family.
A Christian Funeral Service will be held for Cliff on Friday, January 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Riverbend Lutheran Church and will be livestreamed as capacity restrictions are in place. Interment will follow at 2 pm at Rosehill Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 20 from 7-9 pm at Serenity Funeral Service (5311 91 St. NW). We invite anyone who desires to drop-in to do so.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Nathan Turner, and Dr. Meena Kalluri for their kind and compassionate care in Cliff’s last year.
Memorial donations may be made to the Concordia Lutheran Mission Society at www.concordiamissions.org
youtu.be/b56QU7frhrA
Serenity Funeral Service-South
780 450 0101
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of HABERSTOCK Clifford Mervin January 14 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta