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Fred BRUEMMER Obituary
1929 – 2013
Passed away peacefully after a life well lived, surrounded by loved ones at home on Tuesday, December 17th. Born Friedrich Karl von Bruemmer in Riga, Latvia, of Baltic German descent, he survived the Russian gulags and immigrated to Canada in 1950. He worked as a gold miner, freelance photographer and journalist, and as a reporter for The Gazette in 1963. The call of the North lead him to divide his time between Montreal and the Arctic for 30 years, chronicling in words and pictures the vanishing way of life of the Inuit and the animals, flora and fauna. Author of a thousand articles and 25 books including Seasons of the Eskimo, The Arctic and Survival. He realized his childhood passions, becoming a naturalist, researcher and world traveller. A member of the Order of Canada, member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Dr.h.c. University of New Brunswick. He is survived by Maud, beloved wife of 50 years, his two sons, Aurel (Johanne) and René (Angela), his grandchildren, Sarah-Maud, Kira-Ann, Renée–Jade, Matthew, Owen, Marie-Elaine Miron (Éric), Jean-François Miron (Isabelle), and their children, Vincent- Xavier, Félix, Ève and Mathilde. Also survived by cherished nephews George (Susie) and Arist (Choo-Choo), and their children Kristie, Nadia, Jennifer, Matthew and Andrew. Survived by his sister Heddy, predeceased by brother Arist and sister Hella. We would like to thank the staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiology department, in particular Dr. Madgi Sami, a dear and treasured friend, and Dr. Nadia Giannetti and Roxanne Chartier for their kind and generous care. We would also like to thank Dr. Petr Kavan of the Oncology department at the Royal Victoria Hospital and the nurses at the Oncology unit. Visitation will take place at the Kane Fetterly funeral home, 5301 Décarie Blvd, corner Isabella, on Friday, December 20 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. www.kanefetterly.qc.ca Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 21 at 10 a.m. at St. Philip's Anglican Church, 25 Brock Ave. (near corner of Sherbrooke St. W. and Westminster Ave.). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation, cardiology or oncology. www.royalvic.com
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24 Entries
Jim Allan
December 1, 2014
Will always remember Fred as a gentle understated spirit who had time for everyone and so enjoyed the time I got to spend with him in our camps on north Ellesmere where he shared his passion for photographically recording the northern culture. Condolences to Maude and family albeit a late entry.
Oda Nowrath
March 30, 2014
My sincere condolences. I an happy that I had the opportunity to phone him last year to compliment him on his memoirs "Survival". I was deeply moved. God bless.
Iab McLaren
March 9, 2014
This is a very belated message from an old friend. I took Fred along for one of his early arctic trips (and my last of 12 seasons) in July 1965. We went to Ogac Lake, off the south coast of Frobisher Bay, where I collected plankton for research in a makeshift lab at Frobisher Airbase. He had boundless enthusiasm for his surroundings, and I savoured this again on later trips to Sable Island and during a few other chance meetings. I greatly enjoyed his company, and savour his written legacies. Ian McLaren, Halifax
January 23, 2014
I just heard of your loss. My sincere condolences to the family.
Ron Paluzzi (Camp Lewis/Voyageur)
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January 19, 2014
Dear Maud,
The last time - also the first time - we met at your home for lunch, we were so moved by the warm and simple hospitality you showed us. For me, having known and admired Fred's writing and photography ever since the 1960s, I was struck by his humanity and wisdom, but also his toughness - an extraordinary man. The fact that beyond a shared love of photography in the Canadian Arctic, we have had the experience of living for the last two years in the land of his birth makes us feel a special link to Fred and his extraordinary life, the first part of which he so wonderfully described in his book "Survival".
We send you and your family our deepest sympathy.
John and Aleksandra Morrison
Riga, Latvia
December 26, 2013
My Grand Mother was a Bruemmer aus dem Hause Autzen in Latvia.
Peter von Sivers.
John Sylvester
December 22, 2013
Dear Maud
We were deeply saddened to hear of Fred's passing and so sorry for your loss. Our condolences to you, Aurel, René and families. As you know we've known Fred for many years – I first met him in Churchill in 1981 – and we always enjoyed his annual visits to our home in Prince Edward Island when he came to photograph harp seals in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It usually included a meal of mussels, good wine, engaging conversation and always stories of his extraordinary adventures throughout the world. In recent years we have enjoyed our visits with you both when we occasionally dropped by on our way through Montreal. Fred was a wonderful man and a great inspiration to me in my own photography career. I felt privileged to have known him. His friendship meant a great deal to us both. He will be missed. With deepest sympathies,
John & Dianne
December 21, 2013
To Dr Bruemmer and family
What a wonderful legacy your father left behind not the least of which is a son to be very proud of. Your humanity and compassion for your patients are a tribute to his memory and proof that the apple does not fall far from the tree.
We are so sorry for your loss.
The Mc Carthy family whose parents resided at the Sapinois.
Jeff and Lori Macklan
December 21, 2013
To the Bruemmer Family,
Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies for your loss.
Jeff and Lori Macklan
Irene [Reni] Vietinghoff
December 20, 2013
Dear Maud and family,It was with much sadness that I read of Fred's passing,such a great loss to our country and the North.Even though we had lost touch over the last few years I have many happy memories of time spent with Fred and you and Tante Hella.I still remember tramping around the beaver pond at the farm with my new camera and Fred was giving me all sorts of tips on how to take better pictures.I consider myself very fortunate to able to say I spent time with Fred Bruemmer.Blessings to all of you. Reni
Lorne & Marie-France
December 20, 2013
Dear Maud. From my back balcony I have fond memories of seeing both you and Fred enjoying a quiet supper with a good bottle of wine as you waited for the sun to set. Needless to say his passion filled books will long be available for many future generations to enjoy & experience. Deepest condolences to you and your family.
Ida Phillips
December 20, 2013
I am very sorry for your loss Dr A Bruemmer my sincere condolences to you and your family
December 20, 2013
Maude and family,
Our condolences on your loss.
Lionel and Doreen
Linda Phillips Edwards
December 20, 2013
My deepest sympathy to DR A Bruemmer and family.
December 19, 2013
Maud , I have fond memories of Fred in various arctic camps where his presence was always a welcomed addition , Tom Smith ex Arctic Biological Station scientist
Kim Schofield
December 19, 2013
Rene and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I feel your pain as I too lost my father just 2 weeks ago.
Jason Magder
December 19, 2013
I'm very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to the whole family.
December 19, 2013
My sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Dr. Ariel and his family on the loss of your dear father.
Alice Gelfand Feldblum
Doris Hawaleshka
December 19, 2013
Rene and family, my deepest condolences for your loss. No such loss is ever easy and perhaps particularly difficult during the holiday season. I hope you each find comfort in the love and memories you share. My thoughts are with you all.
Margaret Jackson
December 19, 2013
Rene and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies.
December 19, 2013
To the Breummer family
With my deepest sympathies
Doris Steg
Shelley Jacobs RN-KMHC
December 19, 2013
My deepest sympathies to you Dr. Bruemmer and all of your family.
May he rest in peace.
Stephen Smith
December 19, 2013
Rene, I am very sorry to hear about your loss. My sincere condolences to your family.
Kerem Saltuk
December 19, 2013
I had met Mr.Fred Bruemmer when I was studying professional photography at Dawson Collage in 2001.
I was a foreign student from Izmir, Turkey. The nature of Canada was amazing for me. Books of Mr.Fred Bruemmer showed the remote parts beautifully. I had bought his books in Montreal. After seeing his works I wanted to meet him. I called him and he invited me for a visit. It was great to listen his experiences on photography.
I like to share the link of my interview with Mr. Bruemmer; here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6927xbBNas
greetings to all and thanks a lot Mr.Fred Bruemmer.
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