SUISSE news Summer 2020
Social / Events
Social / Events
July 2020
Alfred Mettler 1928-2020
We remember Freddy Mettler
... as a founder of the SCCC, as an enthusiastic member of the Boulevard Club, an entrepreneur, a live long partner to Julie, a lifelong supporter of the Swiss community in Toronto and most importantly as a dear friend.
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We celebrated many get togethers be that at each other’s houses often also in the company of the Swiss Consuls who were living just a few minutes away from us.
We like to remember the many nice invitations to the Boulevard Club where we found time for a good meal and some interesting discussions.
Freddy (and Julie) enjoyed many days on beautiful vacation places be that in Arizona or in there beloved Switzerland were we sometimes got together at their Hotel balcony for a glass of Champagne, marveling at the beautiful view overlooking lake Zurich.
Thank you, Freddy, for your friendship and may you be in a good place now!
Peter & Suzanne Schürmann
Founder of the SCCC
Freddy Mettler founded the Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce in 1966 together with four other Swiss business men in Toronto. He became president and stayed a director and executive officer for 32 years.
He retired from the board in 1998 and remained a life long member (all in all he had 54 year of membership under his belt). We elected Freddy to be an honorary member in 2010. He was also the editor of our Info/Suisse magazine.
Throughout his entire tenure Freddy participated in all events. His favorite one was the Gala dinner dance, which he never attended without his beloved wife Julie. The pictures tell it best: Freddy toasting and having a ball with Julie! Freddy & Julie thoroughly enjoyed themselves at those Swiss events, it was where they had many friends and felt a connection to their roots, the beautiful country of Switzerland.
The SCCC thanks Freddy for his life long contributions to our organization.
Obituary
Alfred Mettler, born Zurich, Nov 30, 1928, departed this life in Toronto, June 21 2020, eager to reunite with his dear wife Julia Maria (nee Naef, dec. 2018). The couple had ventured by boat to Canada in 1952, then marrying and building a life together for over six decades with the loving support of an ever-growing circle of friends. Deeply connected to his homeland, “Freddy” or “Alf” helped to create many events and institutions for Swiss-Canadian business and culture. Generous, curious and witty, he was dearly loved and now will be sorely missed by all, especially by his son Peter. A Celebration of Life will be held sometime when we can all gather again.
