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.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
The City of Courtenay has chopped its total debt in half from 2012 to 2026
Here’s yet another way to understand the City of Courtenay’s financial management. The incumbent council has cut the the city’s total debt in half since 2012 and reduced its debt per capital by 64.7 percent during the same period. That’s fewer tax dollars spent on debt payments.
Provincial general election feels imminent — will the writ drop this week?
There are lots of signs pointing to Premier David Ebby calling for a BC general election as early as later this week. MLA Brennan Day will make an announcement in the next few days about whether he’ll run as an independent. And Courtenay Councillor Will Cole-Hamiltion withdrew his municipal re-election bid last Friday.
Courtenay’s controversial Sixth Street Bridge: Whose idea was it?
The idea for a pedestrian and cycling bridge at Sixth Street originated about 40 years ago and followed a roller coaster ride to completion. It might have never been built without the persuasive pleading from Downtown businesses in 2019. An effusive thumbs up from mayoral candidate Manno Theos might have helped, too.
Will Manno Theos win Courtenay in vote split? And are these candidates using AI?
What’s going on in this year’s local government elections? More candidates. More women candidates. Another possible vote split in Courtenay to favor the underdog. Many long-time veterans still hanging on. Fake social media posters and other trolls. And suspicions surfacing of plagiarism or AI use in candidate statements. Looks like a wild four-week ride. Buckle up!
Post-war attempt to ‘Run cities like a business’ by allowing sprawl failed miserably
After WWII, municipalities across Canada tried a private sector trick to generate revenue, but expanding a city’s tax base by allowing urban sprawl merely traded small temporary cash gains for the ticking time bomb of unfunded infrastructure liabilities … and the tax bill is now overdue
Fact: Courtenay property tax burden equal or lower than most same-sized BC cities
New candidates trying unseat Courtenay City Council incumbents claim the city’s property taxes are too high. But province-wide data shows that the city’s tax burden is the same or lower than same-sized municipalities. And City Council is leading the province with innovative fiscal policies
Retiring Courtenay City Councillors recap years of experience
Doug Hillian and Melanie McCollum will not be seeking re-election this for the Courtenay City Council. Hillian retired after 17 years on council. McCollum served for eight years.
The FINAL candidates for the 2026 local elections
A list of candidates for the 2026 municipal elections
Overwhelmed by so many candidates? Just vote for the ones you know and like
For many Valley residents, it’s difficult and time consuming to gather the necessary information to make thoughtful selections in municipal elections. And paid trolls and fake posters on social media pages make it even more difficult. Public candidate forums help, but there is a simple solution for frustrated voters
THIS WEEK: Election signs are everywhere; MLA Day joins the Findlay ship jumpers
Candidates for the Oct. 17 municipal elections start making it official next week. But it’s been obvious that the “unofficial” campaigns began on social media a long time ago. And MLA Brennan Day announces he’s jumping BC Conservative Party’s ship — but it was no difficult decision
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!