Eight Bells: Bernie Luttmer, Sailor, Industry personality
Sept 10, 2020
On August 31 we lost an icon of Canadian boating community and Marine Industry. The founder of Swans Marina and Swans Yacht Sales, Bernie Luttmer passed away peacefully after suffering a stroke. Bernie was a truly amazing person and if you bought a Catalina, C&C, Tartan, Vanderstadt and many other yachts in Ontario and throughout Canada you most likely crossed paths with him.
In 1958 the Luttmer family immigrated to Edmonton from the Netherlands. Bernie and Jean met at U of A then moved to Toronto in 1971 where they immediately bought a mahogany International 14 sailboat. The next question was where to store the boat; they found a spot at Ralph Swan’s Marina at the foot of Liverpool Road in Pickering ON. In 1976 the Luttmers abandoned their “real” careers (Bernie was an engineer with a pool company; Jean was a Consumers Gas Betty Brite home economist) and went into the boat business full time.
Bernie was a huge supporter of sail development programs and getting people on the water. He was always ready to lend a helping hand or mentor. He made the most of every day.
Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Jeannie, his children Katherine, Carol and Bernard and many grandchildren. He will be deeply missed and always fondly remembered. A celebration of life will be held once the COVID restrictions are lifted and it’s deemed safe for large gatherings. Fair Winds Our Friend.
