Herbert (Herbie) Kohl

Herbert (Herbie) Kohl passed away on October 16, 2025. He was born on February 4, 1935, in Erkenschwick, Germany, to Alfred Karl Bruno Kohl and Anna (Wittwer) Kohl. As a young man in Germany, Herbie worked in the mines. In 1960 he immigrated to Canada, arriving in Halifax to live in Hilden, N.S. with his Uncle Joe. On his immigration form he noted that his ship passage was paid by “myself”. His intended occupation when he arrived was noted as “farm work”. He had two hundred dollars in his pocket. Eventually the farm work made way for a career in the construction industry, and eventually his own business in Halifax. He was a man who was not only committed to his craft, but built a reputation of hard work and fairness. He never missed opportunity to be kind. Even into his later years, Herbie could still be found at the job site, doing what he loved, until the remarkable age of 90 when he finally put down his tools. On July 9,1988 Herbie married Julia (McCallum) Clark. They were together for more than 30 years. Theirs was a love story that started on the dance floor. They met dancing at a singles club where they quickly became regulars, cutting up the dance floor every Saturday night they could. One of their favorite spots was the Newfoundland Club. Bound together in their love of dancing, they created a comfortable life in Halifax surrounded by family and friends. Herbie loved to play bridge and in his younger years did so several times a week. He was also a huge fan of Coronation Street and never missed an episode, regaling his wife Julia with plot intricacies that only a Corrie addict could follow. He never did convince her to start watching. Herbie was a man of few words but deep character. He always saw the good in people and gave those who let him down many chances to redeem themselves. He was a man who left the country of his birth and personally knew the challenges of being a new Canadian. His framed Canadian citizenship certificate was always prominently displayed as proof of his commitment to his adopted country. He is survived by his brothers Klaus and Robert, his sister Inga and many nieces and nephews in Germany. He will also be lovingly remembered by his stepchildren Rick Clark, Greg Clark, Catherine Clark and Stephen Dunn. The memories of Herbie will be a blessing. And we will all hold our sorrow softly.