Father Charles Brandt in January of 2019 at The Hermitage. Photo was taken just weeks before his 97th birthday. | George Le Masurier photo
LATEST UPDATE: Father Charles Brandt funeral service this Friday in Campbell River
Father Charles Brandt, who lived as a hermit on a 27-acre property along the Oyster River, died early Sunday morning. He was 97.
The funeral mass for Fr. Charles will be at noon this Friday, Oct. 30 at St Patrick’s church in Campbell River.
The worship space accommodates 50 people only as they seat folks with the appropriate spacing. The service may be streamed to the large room downstairs, again with social distancing in place. Attendance will be by reservation only by callingl the church office 250-287-3498. They will need contact info with name, address, phone and email.
Fr. Charles has lived on the property since 1970. He had recently finalized a conservation covenant with the Comox Valley Land Trust and the Comox Valley Regional District that will forever protect the land from development.
You can read more about Fr. Charles in this Decafnation story published on Jan. 31, 2019.
Father Charles Brandt: a long and winding journey
A long-time friend of Fr. Charles, Bruce Witzel of Victoria Lake near Port Alice, has posted two video links on his blog, including an interview with Fr. Charles about his life.
Witzel grew up in the Comox Valley. His father was Mac Witzel who was one of the first Catholics to welcome and assist Charles when he moved to the Valley.
The shoes of the fisherman: Requiescat in pacem, Fr. Charles Brandt
This article has been updated many times to add more information as it became available, and also to correct the year when Fr. Charles moved onto the Oyster River property from 1965 to 1970. We have changed Alice Arm, to Port Alice to more accurately depict Bruce Witzel residence.
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My moms cousin. My mom is 93. I just had texted him maybe a month ago. My mom is the only cousin that converted to Catholicism many years ago. God bless him
My mother always got him to rebound the old family guestbook.. then we did too.. such a lovely and gentle man.. he will be missed greatly..
What an impact Father Charles had on the Oyster River area. I lived in his cabin for a short period many years ago and got to appreciate him and his work. He will be well remembered!