Obituary of Bert Kraemer

Kraemer, Albert “Bert” Gerard -

A resident of Chatham, Bert Kraemer passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) on January 25, 2023 at the age of 91.

Born in Kitchener, Ontario on September 18, 1931, Bert was the son of the late Albert S. and Gladys (nee Kirby) Kraemer. He was a generous person whose ambition and determination helped him achieve many goals throughout his life.

Bert has been reunited with his loving wife of 68 years, Audrey (nee Curtis) Kraemer (2021).

He will be deeply missed by his daughter, Marion “Marnie” (James) Treece.

Bert is predeceased by his sons, David (2008) and Richard (2017), grandson Joseph (2015), and brothers, James and Joseph.

He was the proud grandpa of Jason (Fiona), Christopher (Alison), and Jonathan Kraemer, Sean (Breyana), Kelsey (Zach Dowling), and Brooke Treece, and Lauren (Matthew) Dickey. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Austin, Carady, Ethan, Tyler, David and Hope Kraemer, and Charlotte, Lucas, and Hudson Dickey, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Bert spent time in the Royal Canadian Air Force before beginning his career in accounting and auditing in 1955 at Firestone Tire and Rubber in Hamilton, Ontario and Akron, Ohio, and becoming a CPA and member of the National Society of Accountants. His hard work earned him the title of VP of Firestone Canada in 1979, President in 1980, and Chairman of the Rubber Association and Executive VP of the World Tire Group in 1982. His many positions at Firestone allowed him to travel the world, where he experienced cultures in numerous countries in all but one continent. After retiring from Firestone in 1986, he was President of Reimer Express in Winnipeg, Manitoba for a number of years. In 1993, Bert and Audrey moved to Chatham and called it home. They also enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad, and spent many winters in Longboat Key, FL.

Bert was active in the church as a lector, and in the community with Rotary and Knights of Columbus. He was previously a board member and chairman of the CKHA.

Bert also enjoyed staying active playing tennis in his younger years, then spending many years playing golf in Chatham and Longboat Key.

Family to receive friends at McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair St., Chatham, on Wednesday, February 1 from 11:00am-12:30pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00pm at St. Agnes Church, 52 Croydon St., Chatham. Burial to follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Bert’s family would like to give a special thanks to his family doctor, staff at Thamesview Family Health Team, CKHA, and Village on the Thames, as well as friends who checked in on him, drove him to church and appointments, took him out for meals, and kept him company with visits when they could not be there.

Donations made in memory of Bert to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation (ckhaf.ca) would be kindly appreciated.

Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, 519-351-2040