STRAKA, Manfred Konrad It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Manfred Konrad Straka, who was born on August 3, 1925, in Graz, Austria and died on March 17, 2021, in Kamloops, BC. Preceded in death by Nelda, his beloved wife of 66 years, he is lovingly remembered by his daughters Silvia (Mary), Claudia (Bill) and Isabel (Greg), grandchildren Matthew (Erin), Alison, Samantha, Cameron and Timothy, and relatives in Europe. Manfred lived a rich, long, and remarkable life, filled with many accomplishments and experiences. After surviving war and earning his PhD (Math and Physics), he met Nelda and they immigrated to Canada in 1952. Living in Toronto and Kirkland Lake, they moved to Kamloops, BC, in 2016.
They often traveled back to Europe and spent many pre- and post-retirement years in Oliva, Spain. A vibrant couple, they were admired by many for embracing life with every fibre of their being. Manfred was a teacher to his core, touching the lives of generations of students, even after retirement. An inspired and impassioned educator, he made significant contributions to the building of new educational institutions (Ryerson, Northern College) and the founding of the Ontario community colleges system. Manfred also had a deep commitment to service, everything from tutoring neighbourhood children to co-founding a regional Northern History Museum to advancing Austrian-Canadian relations, for which he received Austria’s highest national honour, the Decoration of Merit in Gold. An intelligent, cultured, hospitable man, Manfred was genuinely interested in the lives of others, listening carefully and responding thoughtfully. He was also a skilled and engaging raconteur, with a quick wit and sense of humour, appreciated by many. His chivalrous “old world” manners were among his hallmarks.
But perhaps more than for his many accomplishments, Manfred will be best remembered for his gentle, kind, and gracious spirit, which will live on in all our hearts. We are especially grateful for the excellent care, kindness and compassion provided to Manfred at Berwick on the Park and at Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centre.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held over Zoom on May 1, 2021 at 10 AM PST, 1 PM EST and 7 PM CEST. If you wish to attend, please email celebrateMKS@gmail.com Should you desire, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SCWIST (a scholarship fund supporting Canadian women in Science and Technology) in Manfred’s name. Condolences may be expressed at: www.firstmemorialkamloops.com