Tributes are endless for Jamie Bramburger who leaves a lasting legacy of selflessness

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Pembroke – Jamie Bramburger loved his hometown and everything he did reflected that passion – be it as a radio/TV broadcaster, an author, the manager of community and student affairs at Algonquin College, an advocate for the new campus in the city, organizer of the Jason Blaine Charity Golf Classic, a promoter of the Options Skilled Trades Fair, most recently, as interim dean at the Waterfront Campus and so much more.

The news of his sudden death last Tuesday sent shock waves across the broader Pembroke community and beyond, leaving those who knew him, both casually and closely, shaking their heads in disbelief.

In an official statement, Claude Brule, the president and CEO of Algonquin College, described the news as “heartbreaking.”

“It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean of the Pembroke Waterfront Campus, who passed away suddenly today, March 11,” Mr. Brule’s statement began. “This news comes as a devastating shock, leaving all who knew Jamie filled with grief and sorrow.”

He extended his condolences to Mr. Bramburger’s family, their colleagues at the Pembroke Campus, and the extended college community who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

“His deep passion for Algonquin College and his beloved hometown of Pembroke was evident in everything he did,” Mr. Brule continued. “Jamie was a dedicated leader, a cherished colleague, and a tireless advocate for education and community.

“His loss will be deeply felt by many,” he concluded. “Jamie’s impact on our college and community will never be forgotten.”

Classes were cancelled at the Pembroke Campus on March 12, and the flags at all campuses were lowered to half-mast to honour Mr. Bramburger. In a press release, the City of Pembroke said everyone was deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Mr. Bramburger, “a dedicated community leader whose passion, generosity, and unwavering commitment to our city touched countless lives.

“Jamie was a driving force behind numerous community initiatives, with a legacy spanning education, broadcasting, economic development, and philanthropy,” it stated. “He played a pivotal role in the effort to build Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, creating opportunities for generations of students and staff.

“Through Jamie’s decades of work at Algonquin College, most recently serving as Interim Dean, he ensured that the college remains a pillar of learning and growth for the Ottawa Valley,” it continued.

The release highlighted Mr. Bramburger’s many other contributions including the redevelopment of Pembroke’s waterfront in 2000; as co-founder of the Jason Blaine Charity Concert and Golf Tournament, which has now raised more than $1,000,000 to support local organizations and initiatives and his involvement in numerous boards and committees, including the Upper Ottawa Valley Physician Recruitment Committee, the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Pembroke Economic Development Advisory Committee.

“Beyond his professional and volunteer work, Jamie was a beloved broadcaster and storyteller,” the release stated. “At Cogeco/YourTV, he left an imprint on every production he touched, and through his Algonquin College Speaker Series and In Conversation With, he brought influential guests and diverse perspectives to our community.

“As the longtime voice of the Pembroke Lumber Kings, his love for hockey and local sports was unmistakable,” it continued. “Jamie was also a published author, sharing his passion for local history and preserving Pembroke’s stories for future generations.”

Mayor Ron Gervais described Mr. Bramburger as an extraordinary individual whose dedication to the community knew no boundaries.

“His leadership, passion and kindness touched so many lives, and his passing leaves a void that will not soon be filled,” he stated. “On behalf of the City of Pembroke, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jamie’s family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

“His legacy will continue to inspire us,” he added. “Jamie’s impact on our community was immeasurable, and his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched. In recognition of Mr. Bramburger’s lifetime of contributions, flags at all municipal buildings were lowered to half-mast, and city council honoured him with a moment of silence at the March 18th meeting.

County Council Mourns Loss

County of Renfrew Warden Peter Emon opened the March 12 meeting, sharing the heartbreaking news of Mr. Bramburger’s passing.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of our friend, Jamie Bramburger,” he said. “Jamie passed away unexpectedly yesterday, leaving all of us who knew him in shock and sorrow. As a colleague, a friend and a passionate advocate for both education and the County of Renfrew community, Jamie’s loss is deeply felt by anyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.”

Warden Emon said Mr. Bramburger’s dedication to Algonquin College and his beloved hometown was evident in every aspect of his work, adding his contributions to Renfrew County were numerous.

He told council Mr. Bramburger will be sorely missed and his passing leaves a lasting legacy. Admaston/Bromley Mayor Michael Donohue thanked Warden Emon for his “eloquent” speech and said it reminded him of a poignant metaphor.

“While you were saying that I even thought, how unfortunate it is that often the candle that burns the brightest burns shorter than all others,” he remarked. “I think that’s so with Mr. Bramburger. “I can think of no one who has fully represented the community he lived in for almost his entire life.”

Longtime Friends

Fred Blackstein, the former vice president of the Board of Governors at Algonquin College, has known Mr. Bramburger for the better part of 30 years. He recalled how Mr. Bramburger was working at CHOV radio station when Mr. Blackstein was helping the New RO-TV station find a suitable on-air personality.

“And I was delighted to recommend Jamie,” he said. “Then when the college was looking for someone for the role that he played as a community liaison, I was delighted to see Jamie take that position.”

When asked what traits he saw in Mr. Bramburger that inspired his recommendation, he replied, “honest, humble, straight-up, and he loved his community.”

Mr. Blackstein had been involved with the college since 1968, noting his major friendship and professional association with Mr. Bramburger really began with the thrust for a new campus in Pembroke.

“It really came to fruition when Jamie, Karen Davies, the dean of the day, myself, and several others began the push for a new campus.”

The new campus was opened on October 28, 2012, thanks to the lobbying efforts of the group.

“It was a crowning achievement and to have that world-class facility built on the Pembroke waterfront was just beyond words for us,” Mr. Blackstein continued. “It was the fruition of a dream come true.”

Mr. Blackstein was devastated by the news of his friend’s passing, noting many in the community are just beginning to learn the many things Mr. Bramburger was actively involved with. One of those was the rebuilding of the boardwalk at the Pembroke waterfront, a several hundred-thousand-dollar project including materials and labour.

“Jamie almost single-handedly convinced the Province of Ontario to provide funding for a special program for youth-at-risk, women, and Indigenous, to give them some carpentry skills at the college. We managed to have something like 34 students in the categories, building that boardwalk.” (He noted Pastway Planing in Combermere and McRae Lumber in Whitney donated all the material).

Mr. Blackstein stressed Mr. Bramburger was fiercely passionate about everything he did and that was evidenced by the success of the projects he was involved with. He said he had been at the college since the news broke and the mood was one of shock and despair.

“His legacy is evident in places like the college, like the waterfront park, like Shaw Woods, because the college has been part of that. Every project that I have been part of, I can say that Jamie has been instrumental in helping. “

He’s a classic example of that favourite expression, there’s no ‘I’ in team,” he added. “He’s always been there with his enthusiasm, and his death has left a huge void in the broader community.”

J.B. The Emcee

Former Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski met Mr. Bramburger at, believe it or not, a Liberal nomination convention at the Pembroke Memorial Centre (PMC) in 1997 when his friend, Hec Clouthier was seeking the party nomination.

“He and Daphney Gebhardt were covering it for the news media, and I knew then that here was a guy that had his facts together, knew what he was doing, had a great pride, and man did this guy love the Valley and Pembroke.

“He was a number one promoter and it just grew on him,” he added. “He was ‘like what can I do to help Pembroke and the people of Pembroke.’” He recalled seeing Mr. Bramburger everywhere he went, noting if anyone needed an emcee, Mr. Bramburger was there.

“It was J.B., the emcee,” he remarked. “He never said no. I don’t know where he got the time, and he kept on going all the time.

“Then, of course at the college, we had multiple interactions over the years,” he added. “He was always pleasant, you always knew where Jamie was and what his expectations were, where he felt there were issues, and where he felt we could help. He was always so diplomatic in the way he made his point.”

He said Mr. Bramburger called him on March 6 to thank him and congratulate him on his political career and contributions. They reminisced on working together and discussed meeting in the near future to discuss the college’s plans and Mr. Bramburger’s interest in hosting Mr. Blackstein as a guest speaker at the college.

Mr. Blackstein told the Leader that Mr. Bramburger wore his heart on his sleeve, and when something happened, good or bad, he wasn’t great at hiding his emotions.

“I say that in a complimentary way, and when Jamie heard good news, the man was over the moon.

“And it was all the result of hard work and dedication,” he stressed. “And he understood what was good for Algonquin College was good for Pembroke and area. And he loved his hometown and boy, did he love those Lumber Kings.”

Honoured At Kings Game

Geoff Patterson was Mr. Bramburger’s broadcast partner for the Lumber Kings for many years and their working relationship became a great friendship. They started with the radio broadcasts two decades ago and got to know each other quite well over the years.

“He worked hard at everything he did and he took pride in everything. He was a real gift.”

He looked up to Mr. Bramburger for leadership, adding he had great respect for him.

“You could tell how he prepared and he was always ready. What I think I learned from Jamie was that, when you over-prepare, you’re ready for different challenges that might come up during broadcasts – such as stoppages in play, or broken glass, where you have to fill time,” he added. “He was always just thoroughly ready to go on air. It was pretty impressive.”

He noted Mr. Bramburger took great inspiration from the late Bill Kutchske, the voice of the Kings for many years, and he took great pride calling the games from the Bill K Broadcast Centre at the PMC. He recalled how happy Mr. Bramburger was when the Lumber Kings won the 2011 national title under the now-New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe.

“He was extremely proud to be associated with that. He and Sheldon had a great relationship and it was pretty amazing to see his rapport,” he added. “He was waiting for it (national title). That’s for sure.” Mr. Patterson said Mr. Bramburger never hesitated to converse with anyone at the rink, from players and fans to officials and employees.

“I’ve had a lot of texts from fans who have said how much they’re going to miss him. He’d talk to everybody in the rink. That’s just the personality he had.”

Mr. Patterson had the honour of delivering a tribute at the start of the Lumber Kings game last Wednesday night that included a 63-second minute of silence because Mr. Bramburger’s favourite player was former Bruins’ captain Brad Marchand, who wore #63. In his address, he noted how his late friend had authored the book, Go Kings Go, which he described as a professional chronicle of the team.

“Jamie was such a great storyteller,” he remarked. He said he had received positive feedback on the tribute, adding several of the college faculty were in attendance and commended him for the job he had done.

“It sure seemed surreal, but you just kind of dig down and power through it because that guy affected so many lives positively in our community. I said it left a hole in our heart, a bigger hole in our community, and a huge hole in the Pembroke Lumber Kings organization.”

A True Gem

Pembroke native and country music artist, Jason Blaine, is an alumnus of Algonquin College, who, in collaboration with Mr. Bramburger, launched the Jason Blaine Charity Golf Classic and subsequent concerts, that has raised over $1 million since its inception.

“Jamie Bramburger is someone I’ve long admired as a true salt of the earth, a good man,” he remarked. “He has long been a champion of mine and was the first one on board to help launch our hometown charity golf and concert fundraiser in 2013.

“I’m forever proud and grateful for our work together,” he continued. “The Ottawa Valley has lost a true gem, and I will miss my friend.”

Hockey Night Tribute Mr. Bramburger was honoured by Hockey Night in Canada during the first intermission of the Ottawa-Toronto game on Saturday night by Ron MacLean. MacLean described him as a circle of light in the community.

“Every 100 years or so, a Pembroke Peach comes along, and that is you, Jamie,” he said.

Advocate For Learning And Personal Growth The Renfrew and Area Administrators’ Group expressed deep sadness at the loss of Mr. Bramburger.

“Jamie revived the group of eight public sector organizations in the spring of 2024 and was instrumental in leading the group in collaborating on shared goals and priorities,” their release stated.

“Jamie’s dedication to education, community service, and leadership has touched countless lives throughout Renfrew County and beyond.

“As a passionate advocate for learning and personal growth, Jamie played an instrumental role in advancing the mission of Algonquin College and fostering a positive, supportive environment for students and staff alike,” it continued. “His contributions extended far beyond the campus, leaving a lasting impact on the broader community of Pembroke, Renfrew County, and Eastern Ontario.

“Jamie’s loss is not only felt within the walls of Algonquin College, but across the Ottawa Valley, where he was known as a compassionate and committed leader. His vision and tireless work to build stronger, more inclusive communities will be remembered as a testament to his character.”

The eight public sector organizations that make up the Renfrew and Area Administrators’ Group include: Algonquin College – Waterfront Campus; City of Pembroke; County of Renfrew; Family & Children’s Services of Renfrew County; Pembroke Regional Hospital; Renfrew County and District Health Unit; Renfrew County Catholic District School Bard, and Renfrew County District School Board.

Visitation at PMC

Mr. Bramburger is survived by his wife, Barbara, son Jason (Anna) of Montreal, daughter Shauna (Jordan) Kathnelson, of Petawawa, grandchildren, Teddy, Crew, Jax and Pepper, mother Audrey Bramburger, and siblings, Kim (Jim) Silkie, Tony (Colette), and Trevor (Julie). He was pre-deceased by his father, Frank and brother, Arlin.

A visitation was held Monday at the Pembroke Memorial Centre and a family funeral service at Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Tuesday.