Obituaries

FRITZ SAURER

In the early hours of January 9, 2020, Fritz quietly and peacefully left friends and family for the final stage of his life’s journey. He died on his own terms: at home, in his bed, with Jeff by his side.

Fritz is survived by his husband Jeff McPherson and deine geschwister (his siblings) Klara und Erich Ruf-Saurer mit Franziska und Beni, Paul Saurer, Therese und Michel Briguet-Saurer mit Fabienne und Olivier. He was predeceased by his parents Hans Saurer und Marie Saurer Zumbach und brother Walter Saurer.

Wir waren seit über 50 Jahren distanzlich sehr weit von dir entfernt aber in unseren Herzen immer vereint. Wir vermissen dich sehr! (We have been a long distance away from you for over 50 years but always united in our hearts. We miss you very much!)

Fritz was born in Heiligenschendi, Switzerland on March 24, 1945. As a young man, he came to Canada in 1967 and worked at St. John’s Music for 35 years until his retirement. It was here that Fritz met the Douglases–Jim and Irene, George and Joanne, Wesley and Diane–his “adopted” Canadian family, who remained close to him until his death.

Fritz had special relationships with Franz and Ida Boog, Danny and Vashti Eschmann, niece Colleen McFee, Kelly Burton and Ron Salm and Val McPherson. He will be sorely missed by his many in-laws in the McPherson family.

Fritz was a wonderful, gentle soul who loved opera, his backyard pool and his expansive garden. He enjoyed weekly Sunday brunches at Little Goat. He loved his five cats (Monroe, Penny, Bear, Emme and Duncan) but above all, he loved Jeff who has been his devoted and loving partner for many years.

Jeff would like to extend special thanks to the Saurer family, the McPherson family, neighbours Sharon and John Lee, and Fritz’s many friends for their love and support during his illness. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at CancerCare, Grace Hospital, Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospital who cared so compassionately for Fritz.

As per Fritz’s wishes, no service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please support the Virden Pet Network or CancerCare Manitoba.

“The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will.” (Andy Warhol)