Obituary of Rev. Harvey Thomas Fretz

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Rev. Harvey Fretz

Our hope is in the Lord Jesus who has taken Rev. Harvey Thomas Fretz to heaven on Friday, July 29, 2022. He had lived a full life of 88 years giving his life to serving Jesus and finding real joy in doing that with family, the church and mission.  

Harvey is pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 53 years Laurene (Rene) Fretz and was blessed with two children Bradley (wife Maureen nee Mair) and Karen (husband Roger Bowman) and seven grandchildren - Cheryl Grecu (Alex), Lynn O'Brien (Jonathan), Mitchel Fretz (Kait), James Bowman (Cheryl), Andrea Bowman, Randy Bowman (Rosemary) and Derek Bowman (Ruth). And then there are 4 delightful great grandchildren - Emmett, Chelsea, Isaac, Mckenna. Harvey is also remembered by his siblings - Christine Collins (Bert deceased), Glen Fretz (Shirley), Art Fretz (Margaret), Mary Ann Smith (Jim), Don Fretz and pre-deceased by siblings Murray Fretz, Jean Fretz-Wall (Ron), Doug Fretz.

As pastor he served the Evangelical Missionary Church for 40 years of full time ministry of which 15 were spent as a missionary in Nigeria. He started two churches in Waterloo Region and served at several others where he lived out a people first ministry model and encouraged all to come to and walk closer with Jesus.

After "retiring" Harvey continued to provide leadership in ongoing programs such as Seniors in Service, a widows and widowers fellowship group, seniors coffee times, weekly prayer meetings, a core harmonica member of the "band" and worship committee at Fairview Mennonite Home where he enjoyed living during his last 8 years. Harvey also initiated a Nigerian Historical Library project to ensure that the collaborative journey of the Missionary Church in Nigeria is remembered.

Harvey was a pastor, friend, mentor, prayer warrior and encourager to so many people in Canada, Nigeria, and around the world. His years of loving, kind and compassionate service have made an eternal impact for God's Kingdom.  His life’s direction can be expressed in his favorite verse Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Harvey with his family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, August 12, 2022 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The memorial service will be held at Trinity Evangelical Missionary Church, 330 Conservation Drive, Waterloo, ON  Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 1:30 pm. A reception will follow the memorial service at the church.

A Pastoral Education Scholarship for Theological Colleges that Harvey taught at in Nigeria. has been set up and is known as the Harvey Fretz Bible Student Scholarship in Nigeria Details for donating can be found at the following GoFundMe link https://gofund.me/6edbfa66

 Condolences for the family may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.