Owner of iconic Millbank eatery dies at age 65
By BRIAN SHYPULA
Millbank is in mourning after losing one of its pillars over the weekend with the sudden death of businessman Melvin Herrfort.
The president of the Millbank Business Association was owner of Anna Mae’s Bakery and Restaurant, a favourite stop of visitors and locals alike.
He and wife Marlene bought the landmark Perth County restaurant from founder Anna Mae Wagler in 2001 and kept things mostly the same, especially the menu of homestyle Mennonite comfort foods.
He could be found there almost every day, usually at the so-called “round table” in the company of friends over coffee.
“He just enjoyed the camaraderie of all of that, he looked forward to that every day. Even in the last couple of months that he’s been sick, he still made it down there pretty much every day to make sure that he was connecting with those guys,” daughter Alecia Henderson said Monday.
Last year when Millbank celebrated its 160th anniversary, the big round table and regulars were atop Anna Mae’s float in the parade.
Longtime waitress/supervisor Krystal Richards said the mood at the restaurant yesterday was sombre with many staff and customers still in disbelief.
“He was a very caring person,” she said.
Mr. Herrfort had a heart attack at church Sunday and died later at Stratford General Hospital. He was 65.
He was being remembered for his spirituality and his entrepreneurial spirit.
“I would say that Mel was the pillar of the community really,” said Cathy Bieman, general manager of the Perth County Visitors Association and a member of Millbank Business Association.
She said Mr. Herrfort was a generous man who gave both his time and money to help the community.
“He was always there, always.”
When Millbank hosted a tent crusade put on by Gospel Express Ministries and local churches last summer, Mr. Herrfort donated the land and was one of the driving forces behind the scenes.
Ray Gerber, owner of Get Printing Canada Inc., said his business colleague was always humble.
“That was just his personality in business and everything. He wasn’t the showman,” he said.
Glenn Zehr, former pastor of Riverdale Mennonite Church, said Mr. Herrfort’s accomplishments as an entrepreneur were impressive.
“He did a lot for the village,” he said, like stepping up after Parmalat closed Millbank Cheese and Cold Storage, one of the longest running businesses in the community.
“Mel was instrumental in purchasing the building back from Parmalat,” Mr. Zehr said.
Mr. Herrfort also developed five seniors housing units in Millbank with plans to add five more this spring. Ms. Henderson said the family will see the project through.
While her father was a “bit of a workaholic,” he also enjoyed his cottage and boat at Chesley Lake.
“He liked speed,” she added.
The native of Mornington Township lived his entire life at RR 1 Newton. He farmed before opening Herrfort Equipment Co. in the mid-’70s. Later, he would switch the farm machinery business to a trucking company.
Herrfort Equipment was located next door to Anna Mae’s and Mr. Herrfort and his wife would eat at the restaurant almost every day for a decade before finally buying the eatery. The couple quietly approached Mrs. Wagler after they learned she was interested in selling Anna Mae’s.
“We wanted to keep the ownership local,” Mr. Herrfort said in an interview with The Beacon Herald at the time. “We have to keep the broasted chicken here,” he added of the restaurant’s signature dish.
With 65 staff, Anna Mae’s is still one of the largest employers in the Millbank area. The Herrforts made a few changes in the beginning, such as opening Mondays and building a small addition to expand seating, but the most dramatic move came last year with the addition of a wind turbine. Towering over Millbank, it generates enough electricity to power the restaurant with extra to spare.
Mr. Herrfort is survived his his wife and four daughters and their families, including eight grandchildren.
Funeral home visitation will be held today at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 7 Spencer St., Milverton, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will take place Thursday at 2 p.m. at Riverdale Mennonite Church.
**Marlene still owns Anna Mae’s and her daughter Amanda helps Manage the business. They plan to keep it in the family for a long time to come.