October 8, 1930 - February 1, 2024
Last Thursday, 1 February 2024, Fred Braches left this earth forever. He was 93.
Born on 8 October 1930 in Padang, Indonesia, he moved to the Netherlands in 1947 and went to school and business college there. In the 1960s, he was for eight years the representative of a Dutch shipping line on the west coast of South America, where he met his wife, Helmi.
After two years in Hong Kong, the two immigrated to Canada and came to Whonnock in 1985. Beginning with his retirement in 1995, Fred researched local history, sponsored by the Whonnock Community Association, and over the years published his findings in the Whonnock Notes as well as two photo volumes.
He also had a small book about the myth of Slumach and the Pitt Lake Gold published by Heritage House, and he was featured in the TV series Curse of the Frozen Gold and Deadman's Curse.
Fred will be missed by many, but most sorely by Helmi, his wife of almost 53 years. May he rest in peace.
A Celebration of Fred's Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.gardenhill.ca