Wittig, Bernard Gregory – Born July 23, 1952 in Ingersoll Ontario, passed away peacefully from cancer on December 13, 2021 at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, B.C., while surrounded by his loving family.
Bernie was a 1974 graduate of St Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario and moved with the love of his life, Miriam (Mozetich) Wittig, to Vancouver, BC in 1975 where he started his career as an English teacher and swim coach at Saint Thomas More Collegiate high school in Burnaby. After 10 years of teaching, Bernie’s career took an exciting turn as he became an entrepreneur, starting his own Custom Homes company and later a Concrete Formworks business. Some of Bernie’s many career accomplishments included, running a granite quarry on Fox Island, building much of Whistler’s Upper Village, the Copper Mountain Village in Colorado, the Fairmont Terrace Hotel in Seattle, Bridgeport Station on the Canada line, and the BC Cancer Agency’s Cyclotron in Landscape Park.
Bernie was predeceased by father Bernard Wittig and Mother Jeanette (Bean) Wittig. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Miriam; his son Greg Wittig, daughter-in-law, Nicole and grandchild Aria; daughter; Jennifer Sutter, son-in-law, TJ, and grandchild Addison; daughter; Kelly Wittig and partner Mick Fockler. He will also be missed by his siblings, Pam Druar, Randy Wittig, Greg Wittig, Tim Wittig and brothers-in law; Boris and Marjan Mozetich along with their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
Bernie will be remembered as a devoted husband, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather. He was a good friend to all, a life-long teacher and mentor, and had a truly admirable sense of adventure. His easy smile, endless positivity, and integrity will be forever cherished by all who knew him.
Our family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and staff for the wonderful care given to Bernie over the past year at Vancouver General Hospital, The BC Cancer Agency, and Peace Arch Hospital. Their attention and expertise meant everything. Memorial donations may be made to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation.
The funeral service is at 11am., Wednesday Dec 22, 2021, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2465 Crown Street., Vancouver, B.C.Due to covid, the capacity at the funeral will be limited to 100 people and vaccination passports and masks will be mandatory. We want to keep everyone safe before time with loved ones over the holidays.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bernie Wittig July 23 1952 December 13 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique
Bernie was a true friend to my husband, Joe, and a devoted and caring mentor to Steve and Meredith. He will be deeply missed by construction industry colleagues and the Arbutus Club hockey old guys!
…we were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Bernie. Bernie was an amazing man, a one of a kind. Bernie, Miriam and family were our neighbors for many, many years. We had spent lots of moments laughing with Bernie and sharing stories. Our hearts are with the Wittig family, we are soooo very, very sorry.
Bernie was a very special person, who had an enormous impact on our lives. He was always keen to provide guidance and lend his years of experience to help with any situation and, while he was very successful in the construction industry, it was always clear that he had a passion for teaching and mentorship. Bernie showed enormous strength through his illness, and it never defined him. We will miss our “Saturdays with Bernie”, and it was a pleasure to spend time with him; he was a very important mentor and friend to us, and we will miss him dearly.
We send our deepest condolences to his wonderful family, and we wish you strength in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Meredith and Steve
Bernie was a very special person, who had an enormous impact on our lives. He was always keen to provide guidance and lend his years of experience to help with any situation and, while he was very successful in the construction industry, it was always clear that he had a passion for teaching and mentorship. Bernie showed enormous strength through his illness, and it never defined him. We will miss our “Saturdays with Bernie”, and it was a pleasure to spend time with him; he was a very important mentor and friend to us, and we will miss him dearly.
We send our deepest condolences to his wonderful family, and we wish you strength in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Meredith and Steve