Hartmut Fritz de Witt

Red is survived by his children Aura and Fabio, his daughter in law Chantal Dubois, son in law Peter Bussell and his grandkids Maya, Luis and Marius, as well as his last surviving sibling in Germany, Alf de Witt and his wife Christa and their children Jan and Clas.

Red joins his wife Leo Carlini, his parents Wilhelm de Witt and Helene Bolender, his sister Dora and brothers Claus and Hermann, his sisters-in-law Edita, Marina and Aura Carlini; and brothers-in-law Lucho, Pepe, Rafael, Victorino, and Panchito Carlini in a better place.

We are most happy to report that Nono-Papa is now back driving his red 911, on those crazy long country drives with Leo, our mama, and dodging clouds VFR with her in his Cessna CFSIN. She’s been waiting around for him for almost 13 years.

You got your Wings back Papa!

We will plan a nice memorial once we have our feathers together.

Thankyou for years of support and friendship from Helmut and Claire Krausbar, and his friend Mark whose visited him regularly these past years from The Forge. Thanks to the compassionate PSWs and nurses at AMICA this year & the capable, compassionate Bayshore public and private PSWs during the last decade that he lived in his house - all proud to have enabled his wish to live at home. Thanks to the Civic and Queensway doctors and nurses over the years and his GPs Dr. Brehnhouse and Dr. Fraser. A special place in heaven is reserved for all those caregivers. His companion cats: Boots and Tuxedo who never left his side are enjoying a return to their first loving home.

Red immigrated to Canada solo from Germany in 1951 and became a proud Canadian. He worked in the mines in BC and put himself though school graduating from the University of Manitoba as an electrical engineer. He served as a flight lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Kapuskasing. He married Leo soon after meeting her in Italy and whisked her back to Kapuskasing from her home in Lima. Red and Leo then moved to Ottawa in 1965 with their first child and had their second there. He later joined the federal public service working with integrity and responsibly at DND and the Department of Communications.

Our father’s love of animals and nature, his concern for the environment, his precision, work ethic and intellect, his common sense, his compassion and understanding of the misery of war were evident in his lessons and letters. He often noted that people should take up their responsibilities not just demand “their rights”. With true patriot love, he voiced his thoughtful concerns in the many letters he penned to editors and politicians over the years. He was proud and happy that many of his teachings live on in the work and lives of his children and grandkids.