It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Brian Kurtz, founder of Brian Kurtz Trucking and proud OTA member. He was 72.

He passed away with beloved wife Judy (Reinhart) by his side at Hospice Wellington on Friday August 9, 2019.

Thirty-nine years ago Brian founded Brian Kurtz Trucking. He was very proud of his fleet and his entire trucking family.

Growing up in Guelph, Brian left high school to work in construction and drove truck in the evenings, delivering turnips for his uncle’s farm. It wasn’t long before he realized his true passion was truck driving, so he quit his construction job to chase his dream and started driving full time for various companies. In the early 1970s he bought his first truck and became an owner-operator. He found that he had more business than one truck could keep up with and in 1980 he founded Brian Kurtz Trucking. Thirty-nine years later, with a ton of hard work, long hours, great employees, and a little bit of luck, Brian Kurtz Trucking now has over 70 trucks, 130 trailers, and over 100 employees.

When Brian wasn’t working, he was enjoying snowmobiling and waterski weekends with his family at the cottage in Muskoka. He also enjoyed Nascar racing and going to his place in Florida for the annual Daytona 500. Brian was larger than life, had a great sense of humour and had an enormous love for his family. He will be missed by all.

Brian was the proud father and grandpa of Trevor (Joanne), children Tye and Reed, Brent (Maggie) children Robert, Richard, Derek, and Blair, Gerrad (Connie) children Matthew and Kiana, Geordie ( Lindsay) and their new baby on the way. Dear son to Ralph (predeceased) and Ruth. Brian was the oldest of three and is survived by his brother Wayne (the late Sheila) and his sister Sharon (Larry) Golds.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at Bingemans (Embassy Hall) 425 Bingeman Centre Drive, Kitchener from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Memories will be shared at 1:00 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry Walser Funeral Home (519-749-8467). Private cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Hospice Wellington or towards CJD Research (University of Alberta: Dr. Valerie Sim – Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases. Cheques payable to University of Alberta, memo: Centre for Prions Activities Speedcode 2765) would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).

Flower donations for the family can be sent to the Henry Walser Funeral Home till 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019. The funeral home will ensure they are transported to Bingeman’s for the celebration of life on Sunday.

Visit www.henrywalser.com for info on Brian’s memorial.

 

Please follow and like us: