‘He gave so much’: Theron Kramer remembered for tireless community work
KITCHENER — Tireless community activist Theron Kramer who “demonstrated all his beliefs” died on Saturday.
Kramer had cancer and died in his Kitchener home, his wife Joy Kramer and daughter Melanie Kramer at his side.
He recently celebrated his 75th birthday.
Kramer touched many people in Waterloo Region and had many friends, both through his work and numerous volunteer positions.
“He was a very special person to a lot of people, young and old,” Joy said.
“I think we really realized he’ll be missed in the community,” Melanie added. “He gave so much.”
Most recently, he was recognized with the Mayor’s City Builder award which honours Kitchener residents “who have demonstrated a commitment to making our city and community a better place today and in the future.”
Kramer, who was not well enough to attend the special ceremony held a few weeks ago, said in an interview he was “surprised and pleased” about the award, and added that a lot of people in the community contributed to it.
“It didn’t matter what I was doing, you have to count on others. People have to be committed and engaged for anything significant to happen.”
His family said his dedication to social justice and genuine interest in people were at the foundation of all he did.
“I think it came out of his deep concern for people,” Melanie said. “He was an amazing listener and I think he really cared about other people.”
Theron was honoured with a Canada 125 Award and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Governor General of Canada, and locally by the K-W Multicultural Centre at its annual equity and inclusion dinner in 2013.
“He has dedicated his entire
life to equity and inclusion,” said Lucia Harrison, then the centre’s executive director. “He’s a pretty amazing man.”
Kramer was the first director of the K-W Multicultural Centre in 1973 when it started offering services to new immigrants to the area. He was a longtime supporter of nonprofit and other community groups, working with the Global Community Centre, a founder of the K-W Race Relations Committee, and a board member of Theatre and Company.
Kramer also worked for the federal government delivering social justice programs, the Waterloo-Wellington Training and Adjustment Board, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, along with years as a consultant in community and organizational development.
Kramer was still active after retirement, involved with the Immigration Partnership Council, the Community Research Ethics Office, and Wilfrid Laurier University’s research ethics board.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic called Kramer’s passing “a big loss for our community.”
Throughout his life, Kramer was vocal advocate for inclusivity and diversity.
“He certainly helped shaped who we are as a community … the welcoming community we are,” Vrbanovic said. “He really was a champion of issues impacting new Canadians.”
Vrbanovic also pointed to Kramer’s leadership with Compass Kitchener, the citizen committee that surveys the community to ensure city priorities align with those of its citizens.
“The early years of that committee, he really helped to lay the foundation for the success it’s been,” he said.
Joanna Ochocka, co-executive director of the Centre for Community Based Research, called Kramer “extraordinary.”
“He demonstrated all his beliefs,” said Ochocka, who has known him since joining the organization in the early 1990s and was thankful to later call him a close friend.
She said Kramer, who served on the centre’s board for many years, was an organized and strategic thinker who was always fighting for equity and inclusion, especially for those on the margins.
“His strong motivation was to do good on the individual level, on the community level,” she said.
Kramer was volunteering until March when he became too ill. Even then he didn’t miss an opportunity in his letter family read at the mayor’s award presentation.
“He was thankful for the award, but still integrated some suggestions,” Melanie said.
Joy and Theron would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary later this month. The couple moved to Kitchener in 1968 for Theron to study at Waterloo Lutheran University, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
Although he was busy, his daughter Melanie remembers him always reading to her at bedtime. The pair shared a love of gardening and reading, and every Christmas gave each other a book they’d later trade.
“It wasn’t just about the book. It was about ideas,” said Melanie, who said her father encouraged her to look at the world in different ways.
Kramer involved his family in his endeavours, and was involved in theirs. Joy’s interest in the arts community became his.
He was good at everything he did, his wife said. “He was a great cook and gardener.”
They enjoyed hiking in Algonquin Park and getting together with friends. Just a week ago, he was colouring with his two-yearold granddaughter Loewyn Kramer.
“She really brought him a lot of joy at the end,” Melanie said.
Kramer is also survived by son-in-law James Twine and sister Pamela Kramer.
A public celebration of Kramer’s life will be held in mid-summer, according to his wishes. Donations in his memory can be made to Reception House Waterloo Region, the Working Centre and Inter Pares.