Monday, April 21, 2025
Dearest Aunt Iris...Cousin Stephanie...Cousin Drew.
Michelle and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Uncle Braum.
Our deepest condolences go out to you and the family.
Time and tide wait for no man…and it’s been years since we’ve seen each other, but rest assured I think of you, and Braum often.
In many ways my path was shaped by my engagement with Braum back in Burford, Ontario…In a world full of Tobacco farmers, Braum was the first real Engineer that I ever encountered.
His advice and tutelage led me in a similar direction.
I remember, fondly, those Christmas gatherings, at Grandma and Grampa Quittkats house on the “Woodbury Road”. Braum, Herman, Mickey, Larry and Ed playing cribbage…the house completely full of Uncles, Aunts and cousins….I miss those days.
…and I remember Braum taking us to see the Toronto Maple Leafs, in the St. Mary’s Gold seats directly behind the Maple Leaf’s Bench, back in the old Maple Leaf Gardens….He introduced me to the “Hot Stove Lounge" between periods. We learned how to swear from the likes of Darryl Sittler and Lanny McDonald. I had such admiration for my uncle Braum.
He gifted me one of his old, wooden, engineering slide rules…I keep that as a remembrance and talisman to this day. It maintains a place of honour in my top drawer of my den desk…He made me understand that there are places, outside of Burford, where I could use my engineering aptitude.
I miss him dearly.
Please take solace in the fact that you, Iris, Stephanie, and Drew, got to embrace the “larger than life” personality that was Braum Vermeulen…His humor, his wit, his Joie de Vivre, his love and pride of his family and friends....he made the most of every moment and opportunity. He embodied my personal mantra...."Live Well this Life"
Today the world is a little more gray without Braum…but our lives are better for having known him. May we all learn from his journey and embrace every moment, every friend, every love one...and every opportunity to live our lives to the absolute fullest!
…Through the tears…find your fondest memories.
Love,
Michael, Michelle, Brittany, and Nicholas Lipcsik
