Jacob Edmund "Edmund" Kaufman

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216516512
• Name: Edmund J. Kaufman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-324872
• Residence: 1921, 21 Ellen St. W. Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Zion Evangelical

Notes:

KAUFMAN, Jacob Edmund

April 18, 1916 - October 20, 2012

On Saturday evening, October 20, 2012, Edmund Kaufman retired after 96-1/2 years of dedication to his family and community. Born at home in Waterloo on April 18, 1916. Predeceased by his wife Jean (McFarlane) Kaufman (1977).

Survived by his children Susan Kaufman (Ron Wilson) of Tucson, Arizona and James Kaufman (Susan Blair) of Guelph; granddaughters Rachel Kaufman Behling and Jennifer Stitt; great-granddaughter Bronte Mae Behling; siblings Carl (Eleanor), Mary Eleanor Merritt (Tom, deceased) and Bob (Bette); sister-in-law Margaret McFarlane (Nashville); many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Edmund was a WWII veteran, a former owner of Kaufman Lumber Ltd. and, until his death, owned and still worked at Schlichter's Ltd. In 2010, he was honoured by the City of Kitchener along with five other community businesses that had reached milestones in the community.

Edmund was a long-term member of the KW Sales and Ad Club and St. John Ambulance, earning Commander of the Order of St. John (1983). Among his many philanthropic endeavours, modelled after his late parents, Milton and Edith (Oetzel) Kaufman, and grandparents, Jacob and Mary (Ratz) Kaufman, he was proud to mentor the recent creation of The Kaufman Arts Studio.

The Kaufman family gratefully thanks their extended family, friends and Schlichter's staff for their love and support. Special thanks to the staff of Victoria Place for their tender care of Edmund. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the St. John Ambulance, 519-579-6285, www.kwsja.ca; The Working Centre, 519-743-1151, www.theworkingcentre. org; or favourite charity will be appreciated.

Please take a moment to share the essence of "Papa", https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eVtr7N1TH7g. Cremation has taken place. A reception to honour, celebrate and remember Edmund's life will be held at Ratz-Bechtel Family Centre from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

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Edmund Kaufman: a man who never gave up

Edmund Kaufman of Kitchener

David Hill recalls the standard response from Edmund Kaufman when he was asked to shuttle a customer after dropping off their car at Schlichter's automotive repair on Queen Street South.

"He'd rub his hands with glee, he'd get all excited because it would be an opportunity for him to talk to people," said David, who worked for Edmund for two decades and came to know the generous, amiable gentleman who became like a mentor. Ask David about Edmund and the superlatives come in a never ending stream: caring spirit, very patient, true gentleman, honourable, compassionate, cared about people and their problems.

"Those were qualities I really appreciated," said David.

Edmund purchased the auto repair/small engine repair shop in 1988 after the owner, Doug Schlichter fell ill and Edmund couldn't bear to see the employees lose their jobs. Edmund was in his 70s at the time.

Edmund admitted to a Record columnist that he "doesn't know the meaning of retirement" and added, "The only thing that bugs me is that I can't go up the stairs two steps at a time any more."

As a businessperson, Edmund thrived. He was always the first in the shop, arriving at 6:30 a.m. and reading at least two newspapers before his staff arrived. Armed with current information, Edmund inevitably wanted to discuss politics or anything pertaining to his beloved community. David said if you really wanted to get him going, just mention the light rail transit proposal. "He hated it."

Edmund was all about practicality. When his businesses were successful, he put the profits back into the business and never spent money needlessly. He was frugal yet generous, donating money for community betterment, handing over cash to people in need and, as one story goes, he purchased groceries for a poor, young mother.

At the shop, Edmund didn't sit around acting like a big shot, even though he owned the place. He wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty, even if it meant scrubbing toilets or cleaning up a goopy mess in the shop and he eagerly embraced change and new technology.

Long time friend Doug Jamieson said that as a businessperson, Edmund was "a doer" a man who didn't want to waste time in meetings when action could solve a problem. If he saw a pop can or piece of paper on the sidewalk, Edmund stooped to pick it up.

Edmund was born the eldest of four children and his father was the brother of well-known Kitchener industrialist, A.R. Kaufman. His aunt Emma Kaufman was a missionary, known for helping establish a YWCA in Japan, a country where he lived for one year while finishing Grade 13.

Returning to Canada, the teenage Edmund started university in Toronto but wasn't happy. Daughter Susan Kaufman said her dad just wanted to work in the family business, Kaufman Lumber where his father, Milton was president. Back at home, happily ensconced in the family fold, Edmund would soon face a three-year interruption plus a major upheaval in his career.

First, Edmund was recruited into the army where he served in Canada, from 1943 to 1946, moving from base to base, looking after supplies. Luckily, his wife Jean, a nurse originally from Ottawa, was able to come with him, always finding nursing jobs near the base and once, as a private duty nurse to famous Canadian painter, Emily Carr.

His children joke that the couple's first fight was because they had to carry everything they owned in two duffel bags and at one point, Jean insisted she needed her egg beater. There was no room. Susan believes her mother likely won that argument.

After serving his time in the army, Edmund and Jean returned to Kitchener though in 1962, he decided to sell his shares to his brother. The two business persons apparently had very different views on how to run the operation.

Edmund, never one to give up, turned his attention to property management and residential development in Cambridge. He owned the building occupied by Schlichter's, a company which was started by Ray Schlichter in 1930, so to him it must have seemed logical to take over the business when Ray's son Doug fell ill. Susan grins slightly when recalling her father making the decision. He was already several years past when most people retire but there was no point arguing.

She remembers her dad as rather hard-nosed when she was younger, a man who provided well for Susan and her brother Jim, but not one to be extravagant. She said he was always coming home and telling his family he had a new idea, often about marketing some gadget like the coin-operated camera film dispenser or the lever that allowed taxi drivers to shut passenger doors from inside the vehicle. Not all these ideas were successful.

Jim, who lives in Guelph, said his dad was "very handy, he could fix about anything."

Edmund's obsession with work never faltered, decade after decade. "My dad never took a vacation," she said, noting how, having a visit meant she had to travel from her home in Arizona.

When Jean died in 1977, Edmund soldiered on alone, living independently in the house he had shared with his wife on Glasgow Street. He still lived there, driving to work every day, right up until he died.

Though Edmund fought against the limitations of age, he did make one request of his family: don't send him to a home where they will make him do crafts.

Even into his 90s, Edmund had not lost his sense of humour.

vhill@therecord.com

Published in WATERLOO REGION RECORD, Oct 29, 2012

https://www.therecord.com/life/edmund-kaufman-a-man-who-never-gave-up/article_df89fa9b-1e97-5ff8-a21e-39cd62c80057.html

Jacob — Jean McFarlane. Jean was born 1920; died 1977. [Group Sheet]