Obituary for Pirie Knoll Kaufman
Kaufman, Pirie Knoll (Bear)
Years ago my mother used to say to me..."In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.
— Mary Chase, Harvey
3 December 1954 - 14 March 2021
Devoted husband of the late Pam (Zuke). Beloved father and lifelong hero of Amanda Zuke (Kyle Cardoza and Scott Ross). Son of the late Bill and late Lois (Willson) Kaufman. Brother of Bill (Pat) and Mary (Ken). Uncle of Karl (Mehnaz), Sarah (Mark), Hannah (Steven), Elizabeth, and Ian. Great- uncle of Ava, Raymond, Kadence, Carson, and Lena. Son-in-law of the late Bill and late Vi Zuke. Best friend of Tiffany Curran and second dad to Joanne Nicholson. Trusted friend and mentor to many.
Bear spent four decades driving taxi for various companies in Sault Ste Marie and is remembered with enormous fondness not only by colleagues, but by the now-grown kids he drove to and from school over the years. He had a tremendous gift for communication, and especially for making children and the vulnerable feel heard and seen. While his daughter was an only child, he became a father figure, a mentor, and a role model for many young people, a sort of community dad. He was kind, wise, and honourable, and set an example many would strive to follow.
Bear was passionate about storytelling. A voracious reader, he earned an Honours BA in English Literature at then-Algoma University College in 1986. His favourite pursuits both lay in collaborative storytelling: theatre and role-playing games. His first and last theatrical productions, fifty years apart, were both of Mary Chase’s Harvey, in the same supporting role; he performed in Theatre Algoma’s first production and Stage North’s last. Sault Ste Marie’s theatre community embraced him and nurtured his gifts throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Algoma University Games Club in the 1970s, and as such was part of many young people’s early experiences with interactive, imaginative storytelling overa span of decades. The connections he made there became some of his most enduring friendships.
Above all, though, Bear was a family man. Fully committed to his vow to love Pam in sickness and in health, he devoted himself to her care and comfort through a lifetime of medical challenges and crises until her death just before their 37th anniversary. He was just a phone call and a short walk away when his parents needed his help in the last years of their lives. He was an involved and endlessly supportive and patient father, attending any number of school plays and concerts, proofreading every essay from high school to grad school, and rolling up his sleeves to take part in Amanda’s theatrical productions and activism. In this, especially, he was unparalleled: a hero, a confidant, an advisor, and above all, a best friend.
The family would like to thank Bear’s care team at Algoma District Cancer Program for their support and assistance since his diagnosis and on 3C and 3B for providing top-notch care during his final stay; the incredible staff and volunteers at ARCH who brought all of us such comfort in Bear’s final days; Doctors Voutsadakis, Taylor, Spadafora, Wilson, White, and Apostle; nursing staff at Paramed and Bayshore; Healing Lodge Cancer Warriors; and John Wilson and the Pontiac St gang in Batchawana. Our thanks also to cousin Hank for his help in connecting us with Bear’s Idsinga roots.
Memorial contributions may be made to ARCH, Tracy’s Dream, or a charity of your choice.
In recognition of Bear’s impact on his community, a celebration of life will be held when larger gatherings are safe and permitted. Following cremation, Bear’s ashes will rest with Pam’s at St Luke’s Columbarium.
Years ago my mother used to say to me..."In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.
— Mary Chase, Harvey
3 December 1954 - 14 March 2021
Devoted husband of the late Pam (Zuke). Beloved father and lifelong hero of Amanda Zuke (Kyle Cardoza and Scott Ross). Son of the late Bill and late Lois (Willson) Kaufman. Brother of Bill (Pat) and Mary (Ken). Uncle of Karl (Mehnaz), Sarah (Mark), Hannah (Steven), Elizabeth, and Ian. Great- uncle of Ava, Raymond, Kadence, Carson, and Lena. Son-in-law of the late Bill and late Vi Zuke. Best friend of Tiffany Curran and second dad to Joanne Nicholson. Trusted friend and mentor to many.
Bear spent four decades driving taxi for various companies in Sault Ste Marie and is remembered with enormous fondness not only by colleagues, but by the now-grown kids he drove to and from school over the years. He had a tremendous gift for communication, and especially for making children and the vulnerable feel heard and seen. While his daughter was an only child, he became a father figure, a mentor, and a role model for many young people, a sort of community dad. He was kind, wise, and honourable, and set an example many would strive to follow.
Bear was passionate about storytelling. A voracious reader, he earned an Honours BA in English Literature at then-Algoma University College in 1986. His favourite pursuits both lay in collaborative storytelling: theatre and role-playing games. His first and last theatrical productions, fifty years apart, were both of Mary Chase’s Harvey, in the same supporting role; he performed in Theatre Algoma’s first production and Stage North’s last. Sault Ste Marie’s theatre community embraced him and nurtured his gifts throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Algoma University Games Club in the 1970s, and as such was part of many young people’s early experiences with interactive, imaginative storytelling overa span of decades. The connections he made there became some of his most enduring friendships.
Above all, though, Bear was a family man. Fully committed to his vow to love Pam in sickness and in health, he devoted himself to her care and comfort through a lifetime of medical challenges and crises until her death just before their 37th anniversary. He was just a phone call and a short walk away when his parents needed his help in the last years of their lives. He was an involved and endlessly supportive and patient father, attending any number of school plays and concerts, proofreading every essay from high school to grad school, and rolling up his sleeves to take part in Amanda’s theatrical productions and activism. In this, especially, he was unparalleled: a hero, a confidant, an advisor, and above all, a best friend.
The family would like to thank Bear’s care team at Algoma District Cancer Program for their support and assistance since his diagnosis and on 3C and 3B for providing top-notch care during his final stay; the incredible staff and volunteers at ARCH who brought all of us such comfort in Bear’s final days; Doctors Voutsadakis, Taylor, Spadafora, Wilson, White, and Apostle; nursing staff at Paramed and Bayshore; Healing Lodge Cancer Warriors; and John Wilson and the Pontiac St gang in Batchawana. Our thanks also to cousin Hank for his help in connecting us with Bear’s Idsinga roots.
Memorial contributions may be made to ARCH, Tracy’s Dream, or a charity of your choice.
In recognition of Bear’s impact on his community, a celebration of life will be held when larger gatherings are safe and permitted. Following cremation, Bear’s ashes will rest with Pam’s at St Luke’s Columbarium.