William Brian Schumacher
(1942–2020)

It is with great sadness that the family of Brian Schumacher announces his passing on February 18th at the Ottawa Hospital after a prolonged and tenacious battle against cancer.

Born of the late Pauline Galaschuk and William Marcel Schumacher in St. Boniface, Manitoba, he is survived by his wife Denise Boucher-Schumacher, his daughter Julia (Chad Smith), his stepson Patrick Boucher-Hickson (John Orcutt) and his grand-daughter Mila, his siblings Tannis Yankewicz (Roger Salhany), Madeleine Spear (Robert Spear), and his niece Suzanne Spear (Jeff Kyker). He was predeceased by his nephews Tom Yankewicz and Michael Spear.

Brian joined the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) with Industry, Trade and Commerce in 1968 and spent 36 years serving overseas. During his final assignments, he served with honour and distinction as Canada's Consul General in Rio (1980-1983), Canada’s Ambassador to South Korea (1988-1991), Canada’s High Commissioner to Australia (1995-1999), and finally as Canada’s Deputy Consul General in New York City (2001-2004) where he played a leading role in Canada providing significant support to Canadian families affected by the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre.

Upon retirement, Brian was able to do what he enjoyed most – be by his wife’s side each and every day, travelling to spend time with his beloved family and friends, and to relax at his cherished country house in Cascades, Chelsea, on the Gatineau River, toiling daily to make his garden bloom and bring him great joy. Throughout life, Brian was a person of considerable integrity, civility and unwavering commitment to practicality, whose hard work and great humour positively impacted everyone he met. He was a thoroughly upstanding person, and will be sincerely missed by his family, many friends, and TCS colleagues.

All who knew Brian are welcome to join in a celebration of his very full life at a later date. (Service postponed from March 21)

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations in memory of Brian be made to the Foundation Montfort or the Ottawa Hospital Foundation in recognition to all of the doctors, nurses and support staff whose compassionate and devoted care supported Brian throughout his illness, to which his family is incredibly grateful.