Longtime Prince George resident Hermann Rohrmoser passed away on March 4 at the age of 97.
Born at Zimmerberg farm in St Johann im Pongau, Austria, he was the youngest of fourteen children. Times were not easy, yet Hermann always made the best of difficult situations, a characteristic that was implanted in his being at a young age and which stayed with him to the very end of his life.
Typically for young men in that country, there came a time to learn a trade. Baking chose Hermann, and he began training in earnest. Then came the war. To say that was a difficult time would be an understatement. He was fortunate enough to survive and make it through to the other side.
After the war, Hermann met Theresia Brandstätter, a young woman from the nearby village of Leogang. Together they shared a common ambition to begin a new life together overseas. Canada was calling. But not before a few children arrived on the scene.
Hermann came to Canada first, leaving Theresia and the two children behind, while he worked hard to save money for their eventual passage, which came six months later.
The family made a home in a tiny shack in Gold Bridge, B.C., a small community west of Lilooet and north of Pemberton. Next stop was Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Hermann's English steadily improved and he began to work as a door-to-door salesman while, at the same time enjoying the company of the three latest children.
In 1961, Hermann was offered work in Prince George. This was to become home for the next three decades. It was in Prince George that he enjoyed a long career with Mutual Life Insurance. Being the original "people person," he couldn't have been happier. He and Theresia lived a rich life in their family home, a home that was welcoming to anybody and anyone, young, old, lost or otherwise. Their life together was all about family and friends. These were the golden years.
Theresia passed away in 1991. In 1993 Hermann married Irene and they lived a happy life together in Surrey until her death in 2015.
Hermann spent the last years of his life at Augustine House, a retirement home in Ladner. where he was close to his daughters and not too far away from his sons. He appreciated the compassionate care and friendship of the staff, for which his family is also very grateful.
Hermann is survived by his five children and their partners: Hermann (Jo-Anne), Margaret, Chris (Robin), Louise (Chris) and Maria; four grandchildren: Graham (Barbara), Erik (Alanna), Jenna (Terence) and Robert (Fiona); and two great- grandchildren: Poppy and Rosie all of whom he loved very much. He loved and was predeceased by his wife Theresia, daughter Liselotte, son-in-law Laurens Sundberg, grandson Warren, and second wife Irene.
In recent years he often said "When I die, don't make a fuss."
