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It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our loving father, grand-father and great-grandfather Carl Zak, on May 13, 2017, at Boundary General Hospital. Carl was born November 26, 1922 in Habovka, a small village in Czechoslovakia.

In 1936 he immigrated to Canada where his family was reunited with their father who had journeyed to Canada years earlier to establish a new life for his children. Like his father before him, Carl began working for the railroad. Always eager to make his life better, he enrolled himself in a welding course in Vancouver, B.C. From 1942 to 1946 he was engaged as a machinist for The Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company in

Michel, B.C. he returned to Grand Forks where he built two service stations, and began what was to become his lifelong business, Zak’s Body Shop. Later, he relocated Zak’s Body Shop to the original Columbia Brewery Building, and eventually repurposed the building into what is today Selkirk College, Grand Forks campus.

Carl was involved in municipal politics being a City alderman for many years and later elected to the Board of School Trustees serving from 1962 – 1971. Carl was also a long-standing member of the Gyro Club, and an Honorary Lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

In June 1952, he married Margaret (Magerchak) and they enjoyed 64 years together.

Carl worked hard but lived life fully. He enjoyed his life in the community, family and good friends, and he was always interested in learning and acquiring new skills.

Carl is survived by his wife, Margaret, and three children, Joseph (Helen) Zak, Jodi (Larry) Anschell, and Catherine (Gerg) Larson; grandchildren Lisa (Mike) Broadway, Kelly (Pat) Curley, Logan and Lauren Anschell, Olivia Larson; great-grandchildren Emily and Parker Broadway.

A celebration of Carl’s life was held May 19, 2017, at Sacred Heart Parish, Grand Forks, B.C. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Baker Family of Grand Forks Funeral Home.

The Zak family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional support Carl received from the nurses at Boundary Hospital.



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