Schoening Funeral Service Ltd. — Family Owned & Operated in Kamloops BC since 1888
September 9, 2010
Alfred Bertram
ALFRED BERTRAM
1954 – 2010
On Saturday, January 2, Al passed away suddenly at the age of 55 years at the Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops.
Al was born in Steinbach, Manitoba to Herbert and Margaret (Peters) Bertram. In 1977 he met his soul mate and wife, Carolyn. In 1990 they were blessed with two sons.
He is survived by Carolyn and his two sons Jonathan and Bryce of Kamloops. To cherish his memory, he also leaves his sister Hilda O’Gorek of Winnipeg; mother in law Hazel Bull of Kamloops; sister in law Lori (Ross) Smith of Kenora, ON; nieces Chrissy, Laura and Linda all of Winnipeg, Katie of Toronto, Tiffany of Kamloops and nephew Jeffrey of Ottawa; also his many aunts, uncles and extended family throughout Canada. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Herbert.
Al was a thirty-six year employee with NAV Canada, and enjoyed his position and postings to many Tranports/NAV Canada stations throughout Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Nunavut and finally Kamloops, BC.
Time spent with Carolyn and his sons were very important to Al. To the very end, selfless love was his gift to us all. He enjoyed exploring BC and discovering the back roads around the area.
We would like to thank good friends Reena, Stan and Margaret-Ann; nurses from 5N especially Sharon, Lori and Mike for their exceptional care and compassion. We are grateful for the quick response from the paramedics and volunteer fire department.
In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, a donation can be made to the SPCA, 1211-8th
Street, Kamloops, BC V2B 2Y3 or the Alzheimer’s Society, Box 277, Kamloops, BC V2C 5K6 in his memory.
The family of Mr. Alfred Bertram extends an invitation for family and friends to attend a “Celebration of his Life” on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Schoening Funeral Chapel. The Reverend Don Tyler will officiate.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles:
they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk
and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Carolyn, Jonathan, & Bryce
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Al was a wonderful man with a heart of gold. His calm demeanor, his gentle ways, were the traits that defined Al.
I will miss making him laugh, and waiting for his usual “oh boy”. He was always more then just a co-worker. He was a friend and a confidant who always had the right answers. I will forever miss you “Mr. Al”
Dave & Cindy Karpiak
Kamloops FIC
Carolyn, Jon, & Bryce:
My prayers and heartfelt thoughts are with you during this most difficult time. Al was an amazing man with a servant heart. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was gentle,kind and very calm. It was an honor and a blessing having you as a friend. I will never forget the unselfish act of driving my dear friend Carolyn to Jasper last May so I could visit with you both, Thank You!
I will cherish our times together, until me meet again…
Sera Mauro
Thunder Bay, On
We both had the privilege of working with Al for our 11 years in Thunder Bay. He was quiet, kind and always a professional. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. We enjoyed listening to his stories of his two young boys Bryce and Jonathon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bertram family at this most difficult time.
Mike and Annette Brown
Winnipeg MB
Dear Carolyn, Jon, Bryce and Grandma Hazel
We are all thinking of you so much these days and remembering our dear neighbor and friend Al. Hazel, you will miss your Coffee companion..Remember your respite trips out with Al for your “coffee break”. I remember with gratitude when you’d send Al over to watch whoever was sleeping when I had to make late night trips to the hospital and Hughie was away. Al wouldn’t sleep but would bring his current war novel and stoically stand on guard. How many gardens did he dig, trees did he plant, walls did he paint,grass did he mow and rocks did he haul so willingly..with only an “oh,well”
He was a true “gentle” man and has always been well respected by any who knew him. Before I even knew your family my parents expressed their high regard for Al. His acceptance of us all as part of the family has been deeply appreciated and we cherish many memories of our trip to Kamloops and the various side trips that he made possible. May the knowledge of what he meant to others help you to realize that we too share your loss and can understand the hole that will be left behind.We wish we were closer to be of more support.. love from us all
I was very sad to hear of Al’s passing. I will always remember Al as a consummate professional with a closely guarded wit. I really enjoyed working with Al and I learned alot from him in my early years as a Manager with Transport Canada up in Baker Lake (I often had to call him for advice). My heart goes out to all of you at this sad time… he was a good man, well respected and he will be missed.
With deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I never got to know Al all that well when you lived here. As he was working in Kamloops before your move. But when I did see him at home he was such a wonderful guy. I remember he had alot of tools. I used to fix things for you when the house was beening preped “For Sale.” He had the nicest writing for a man. I just showed the Christmas card to Blaine when we received it. I said look at how neat Al’s writng is. He is going to be missed by everyone who’s life he has touched. He was a great man. Hazel you and I have to have tea one day. I hope Elizabeth and I can make it out for a visit. Take Care and cherish your memories of Al.
It is painful to contemplate how one so young at heart and so well connected to all who knew him can be torn from us so abruptly. Al’s friendship and co-operative spirit will be sorely missed. My sincerest condolances to his family, friends and co-workers.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. we enjoyed know Al he was such a quiet guy but always very nice anytime you were around him in the short time we knew him. We sure miss seeing you and hazel and having tea together we hope to get out to see you sometime. May you find comfort with family and friends.May God help you though this difficult time.
I will speak for us all. It was a sincere pleasure to know Al and it is such a travesty that he was taken away from us way too soon. The world is now a lesser place without his presence. I am just sorry that I did not get out to Kamloops earlier but I surely will come. He seemed such a cool,calm, quiet soul which nothing seemed to phase. Not fair!!!
Just know that we are thinking of you all and wish we could be there for you but I am sure you are surrounded by family and friends right now. You take care now and take 1 day at a time!!! If you need anything just call!!!
Someone once said that ‘character is what you look like when no else is looking’ – and what I believe everyone saw in Al Bertram was a man with a servant’s heart always ready to do anything to accommodate the needs of another especially for his sons, Bryce & Jonathan & for his loving wife Carolyn. I never heard Al say anything negative about anyone, anytime. I am certain that Al has left a lasting positive impression on his sons on how to be a ‘father’ & how to be a good ‘husband’. My heart breaks for your great loss, may you find peace & comfort knowing full well that Al is in the loving arms of Jesus. Al’s life was too short! His passing, causes me to see how precious our limited time is here on earth. Oh how I wish I could hug & cry with you! May God bless you – know that although I am not able to be there with you, I will keep you in my prayers.
We were very saddened to hear of your loss Carolyn. Al was a wonderful person and a great manager to Jeff when they worked together in Rankin Inlet. May you and your sons find comfort in knowing that Al was very well-respected amongst his peers and was a great role-model. I will never forget his friendly smile. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Hi Carolyn,
Love and peace to you from the UK branch of the family.
Every blessing,
Colin.
Caroline, Jon. & Bryce
Thoughts and prayers are with the three of you, may Gods hand not be far when you cry out to him when you are all thinking about Al. I was glad to meet you guys when you lived in Rankin Inlet Nunavut,
thoughts and Prayers from Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut
Valerie Ipkarnerk
Al will be missed by all that knew him. One of the most mild mannered persons one could ever meet. A great man indeed. Our condolences go out to the family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sadness.
I worked with Al a couple of times as both CGRO and RO/FSS in Thunder Bay and will always rememeber his calm and cool approach to both work and life. The feeling of losing someone unexpectantly or not can be overwhelming at times but the memories keep us going.
My thoughts and condolences to all of you.
Al & I worked together at Rankin Inlet FSS. I remember Al as a kind and gentle person. Condolences to Carolyn and family.
I had the privilege of working with Al in Thunder Bay. He was quiet and unassuming but with a strength of character so seldom seen today. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you can take some comfort in knowing how well respected Al was. He will be missed.
Carolyn, Jon and Bryce.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time of sadness.
Kenora, Ontario
We think of you often and grieve with you in your loss of Al. He will be missed by all who knew him.
I have sent many of my thoughts to you in emails Carolyn, so I thought that I would post something that Chris wrote and sent to the boys. I thought it was comforting. Hope you do too….
“May calm spirits help you on your struggle, though time may ease pain, the memories are forever. Remember the good times and life shall seem a little brighter” Chris
Thinking of all of you and sending our love.
Michele, Carl, Jessica, Chris and Eric Krasnichuk
We were both very shocked with the news, we are very glad we got to meet and spend time with Alfred when on our honeymoon.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Sending lots of love
Mark and Ruth
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