Tribute

With bravery and customary wit, Ted approached his last days organizing, directing and managing, even planning his eventual celebration, finally passing quietly in the morning of November 21, 2014, at the age of nearly 89, after a month long hospitalization. Diagnosed with a kidney tumour in 2013, Ted chose to have no life-prolonging treatments. Apart from a growing fatigue, and two weeks in the hospital in May, he remained comfortable in the home he shared with his wife of 53 years, Pauline. He continued to direct the operation of his small vineyard that he named Grouse Pointe, and to call and receive friends as often as possible. He was always ready with a joke or a “hello, Charlie”, and was equally without airs or pretense, infamously stating, “After the third glass of wine, it all tastes the same.”

 “Ja, Ted Brouwer speaking,” was the phrase you would hear on the phone when he called, often referring to himself as “the old dutch guy out of the vineyard.”  Ted was rarely one to mince words. If he liked you, you were lucky, and you would be the recipient of his boundless loyalty and great affection.  If he didn’t, you may have been equally as unlucky. He was forthright in all of his endeavours. Bawdy jokes, long trailing conversations, his entire life story: what you saw was what you got.

Ted was born in Heemstede, Netherlands, December 11, 1925. He spent time in Indonesia as a young man working as a medic in the Dutch Army, developing many close friendships that remain to this day. He emigrated to Canada in 1951 and arrived in Halifax with $45. Working his way across Canada, he lived in Vancouver for some years before moving to the Okanagan. In 1961 he met and married Pauline and they had two children, Jacqueline and John.

In 1967 Ted began managing Inkameep Vineyard in Oliver, for the Oliver Osoyoos Band, through the Department of Indian Affairs, growing it to 360 acres and bringing in a major winery. In 1982, he and Pauline bought a small orchard, later converted into a vineyard. He then volunteered as an agricultural consultant to First Nations in BC and Alberta for CESO, Canadian Executive Service Organization, until 1992.

Attending the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland in 1995 was a highlight for the couple. Ted’s brother passed away shortly after their visit.  In 1997 they suffered the loss of their son, John.

In 2005 Ted was seriously injured in a tractor accident. He recovered well and The Farm Safety Council of Canada chose him to be their spokesperson in 2006. A mini-documentary on his life and work aired in 2006 on Ontario television.

In 2012, Ted received the Banée Award in recognition of his lifetime contribution to the wine industry, and was recognized by the wine writer John Schreiner with a dedication in his book on Okanagan wines. He was a strong voice for the grapegrower and the agricultural aspect of the wine industry.

Ted lived outspokenly and expected fairness, honesty, and good faith from everyone. He would repay loyalty with loyalty and you would have a friend for life.  He was a man’s man, and believed that a man’s handshake was as good as his word. Ted had his own way of doing everything in life. The more he thought about something, the more he had an opinion on it. He thought a lot, and wrote much. He marked his own path, and trod it with grit and determination.  He was brave to the end.

Ted chose the following passage:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there

I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glint on snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain

When you wake in the morning hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight

I am the soft starlight at night

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there

I do not sleep

Ted is survived by his wife Pauline, his daughter Jacqueline (Michael), and their children Jonah and Elijah, his step sons, Glenn Collier and his children Michael and Danielle and Jim Collier (Elizabeth) and their children Nicole, Jay and Jim as well as great-grandchildren Brennan, Sarita, Naya, Mason, Kaleb, Eli, Jillian, Max, Lucia and Grace. Condolences may be sent to PO Box 1825, Oliver V0H 1T0.

 Ted’s family wishes to thank Dr. A. Devries, Dr. M. Devries, Dr. M. Myslek, Dr. A. Ruddiman and all the caring and supportive nurses and aides at South Okanagan General Hospital and at Sunnybank Centre. Your kindness and care was very much appreciated.

A visitation will be held at 11:00 A.M.  – 12:00 P.M. at the Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Chapel, 5855 Hemlock Street, Oliver.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday December 1, 2014 at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery. A celebration of life reception will follow at 2:00 P.M. at the Oliver Community Centre.

Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.