Jacob BROUWER

BROUWER, Jacob
Cherished husband of Valerie, father of four and grandfather of four, Jacob Brouwer passed away quietly on August 25, 2017. A classic self-made man, the 92-year old executive began his Canadian journey as a striving immigrant, and through hard work, luck, and perseverance rose to become a key contributor to the national scene: in the insurance industry; in provincial and federal politics; in community service; and as board member of many distinguished public and private organizations. A recipient of numerous honoraria, among them the Queen's Jubilee Medal, Brouwer was a dedicated churchgoer, loving patriarch, and profound admirer of the great outdoors. Dynamic and incomparable, the tall Vancouver-based Dutchman cut an unmistakable figure. For an entire generation of B.C. businesspeople, there was only one "Jake" known to all.
Over 60-odd years, Brouwer held over 20 directorships and/or board positions in commercial and public associations in Canada and the United States. He served as President of the BC Adjusters' Association and for a number of years chaired the International Financial Centre for British Columbia. He was exceptionally proud of his 15-year service on the Judicial Council Of British Columbia, and of his accomplishments on the Board of Canadian National Railways. Jacob Brouwer consistently honoured his Dutch origins, and was prominent in several Canadian- Dutch alliances. His work with KLM Airlines earned him membership of the World Society of the Flying Dutchman in Amsterdam. A fervent fisherman, every summer Brouwer took great pleasure in delivering fresh-caught Coho salmon to the Netherlands Ambassador's residence.
Jacob Brouwer was very much involved in community projects, such as raising resources for the Canadian Mental Health Fund, B.C. Children's Hospital, and the Greater Vancouver YMCA. The latter organization conferred on him a number of citations including the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of outstanding community leadership. He was a governor of the Vancouver Aquarium and sat on the West Vancouver Police Board. Politics was a passion; a lifelong Tory, Brouwer was a leading light in the PC Canada Fund and in Western Conservative networks. A tireless Conservative fundraiser, in the early seventies he joined the race to become elected Conservative representative for the riding of Vancouver-Capilano, but after a narrow loss decided to focus on support for Joe Clark, and later, especially, Brian Mulroney, who became a political comrade-in-arms.
Jacob Brouwer was born in Andijk, near Enkuizen, in North Holland, the eighth of twelve children to homemaker Anje (Prins) and farmer Jan Brouwer. The family immigrated to North Alberta in April 1936. As a teenager eager to make a name for himself, he travelled to Ontario and points East, landing a position as a police officer for CP Rail. Soon he found himself in Vancouver, with a memorable job as the sole police presence on Bowen Island. Wanting to move on and considering how to utilize his 2 years' experience with provincial law enforcement, Brouwer saw a promising career in insurance adjusting. While learning the profession at Parsons Brown and Wawanesa Insurance, Brouwer met the men who would become his future business partners. Brouwer and Company General Insurance Adjusters launched in 1956, on Granville Street. Then as later, Brouwer prized his associates, and always attributed his continued success to "hard work and great partners."
By 1980 the firm had grown to become the largest independent adjusting company in Canada, with a staff of 500 and 104 offices across Canada, England, and the United States. Brouwer sold the business to concentrate on his abovementioned foray into electoral politics, and then re-entered the field from the ground up six years later. Brouwer Claims Canada and Company went from strength to strength until it too was sold, in the 1990s.
Professional artist Valerie Hermon (later Valerie Brouwer FCA , CSMA) and Jacob Brouwer both enjoyed travel, the opera, and their longtime summer residence on Savary Island. They felt privileged to be a part of Vancouver's social life, and the notable receptions and dinners: over the years Jake and Val dined with HRH Charles The Prince Of Wales and Princess Diana, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Margaret Thatcher, Stephen Harper, and, frequently, Brian and Mila Mulroney. Jacob Brouwer had four children: Joan Adair; Louise Astrid (Stewart); Jan Gerrit; and James Peter Andrew (Deborah), as well as 4 grandchildren, Christianne, Anje, Silas, and Ada. His beloved surviving siblings Nanne (Norman) and Pieter (Peter) mourn him deeply. Jacob's family loved and admired this remarkable man more than words can express. A celebration of the life of Jacob Brouwer will be held at West Vancouver Presbyterian Church, 2893 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to mark his passing gratefully accepted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, www.natureconservancy.ca