He truly was Mr. Morinville.
Morinville residents shared a moment of silence Monday afternoon during the town's Canada Day festivities to remember Mayor Paul Krauskopf.
Krauskopf died at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, at the Sturgeon Community Hospital of liver failure related to colon cancer, said town officials. He was 63.
Krauskopf was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2010 and has battled it ever since. Last month he announced he would not run for re-election after 14 years on council, one of which he had spent as mayor.
Still, his end caught many observers by surprise. Apart from a hoarse throat, Krauskopf seemed fine as of June 25, and was able to host a marathon five-hour council meeting.
Council members knew about Krauskopf's health, said deputy mayor Lisa Holmes, but were still shocked when they got the news Sunday.
“Some things like this you can never be prepared for,” she said.
Council would host a special meeting this week to appoint an interim mayor, Holmes said.
A lifelong resident, Krauskopf was an active volunteer with many organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, St. Jean Baptiste Church, the Parish Hall, and the fire department, serving as deputy chief of the latter organization until 1982.
He was a program assistant in special education for the Sturgeon School Division before his retirement, and continued on as a board member of the Alberta Education attendance board.
Locals often called him “Mr. Morinville,” said Coun. Sheldon Fingler, who knew the man for many years.
“He was involved with everything,” Fingler said, and seemed to know everything and everyone in the community. “You could ask him about any piece of history about Morinville and he always knew that stuff.”
The title of “Mr. Morinville” certainly fits Krauskopf to a T, said Sheila Houle, president of the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society and someone who has known Krauskopf since 1963.
“He was so involved in everything that went on in town,” she said, adding that his loss was “going to leave a big hole” in the community.
Krauskopf was a true patriot and leader who would give of himself before he took anything, Fingler said.
“He was always happy. He was never down.”
He was a kind-hearted, jolly person – kind of like Santa Claus in a business suit, he mused.
Longtime friend and former town mayor Lloyd Bertschi remembered Krauskopf as a “real gentleman” and his right-hand man when he was on council – one who seemed to be at every event and every meeting.
“He didn't speak up a lot at meetings, but when he did, it was always sage advice,” Bertschi said.
Krauskopf had the most patience of anyone she knew, Holmes said, and always had time for anyone. He loved mentoring others on council, and had a habit of listening to her rattle on about her latest great idea before saying something like, “Actually, we tried that five years ago.”
Bertschi said he would remember Krauskopf for his big, smiling face, and how he would always roar with laughter at a good story.
“He'll be sorely missed in the community, and it's a great loss.”
Krauskopf was deeply honoured to serve as mayor, Holmes continued, and was very excited about the passage of the Highway 642 functional plan and the Coeur de Morinville area structure plan.
“He was definitely the mayor we needed at the time – someone who brought us through a really hard transition,” she said.
“I wish we had more time.”
Krauskopf is the first Morinville mayor to die while still in office, said local historians.
Krauskopf is survived by his wife, Linda, eight daughters and numerous grandchildren. None were available for comment by deadline.
The town has a book of condolences available in Morinville council chambers between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this week.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Friday, July 5 at the St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Morinville.
