On August 17, 2024, John (Joachim) Kemper, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully at the New Edinburgh Square Retirement Residence in Ottawa.
Beloved husband of the late Marie-Luise Kemper (nee Bertram). Loving father of Fried, Christine (Ghislain Tremblay), and Michael (Lynda McMillan). Proud grandfather of Christopher Tremblay, Karina Tremblay (Christian LeBlanc), Kyle Kemper (Brittany Lindstrom), Alicia Kemper (Brian Bendix), Mark Kemper (Aleksandra Czyzowska), Laura Kemper (Jonas Landolt). Cherished great grandfather of Eva, Arlo, Amelia, John Wolf, Sequoia, Charlie, Ayla, Baz, Juliana, Hanna, Stella, Ida and Remy. John will be remembered by family and friends from far and wide.
John was born on February 20, 1921, in Reetz, Germany. After serving in the German army, he immigrated with his family to Canada where he built a thriving real estate company, “Kemper Realty”, and became a respected Ottawa realtor and developer. He pursued his goals with grace, courtesy and an innate charm. John was an elder of Rothwell United Church, a long-time member of the Kiwanis club and an active community volunteer who loved to engage with people. He enjoyed sailing, tennis, squash, skiing, traveling and was a self-taught musician who played the accordion and harmonica. Above all, he cherished cottage life with family and friends. John was known for his generosity, his kindness, his infectious smile and his “joie de vivre”! He lived a full life to the age of 103 years; a life well loved, and a life well lived.
John, Joachim will be in our hearts forever and his memories and stories will be carried on by all those who knew him.
We would like to thank Marianne Gissler of Care Matters, the New Edinburgh Square Retirement Residence and all those who provided John with friendship, care and compassion.
Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa in John’s name.
Digital Guestbook
Anna Thompson
Heather and Magnus Kilian
A great friend. We will miss him.
I love this photo of John - Joachim - in his striking yet simple red and white plaid shirt. What a loving, genuine, kind soul to have had in our lives. His 'circle of life' was endless, full of joy. All our condolences to John's family, friends, and caregivers.