Clifford Bertram (Tip) passed away peacefully on Oct 31, 2016. He was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia in 1920 and was the youngest and last survivor of nine brothers and sisters. He and his wife, Cecilla (Cis), of sixty years came back to Nanaimo in the 90’s to retire.
While growing up, Tip excelled in sports and music. He competed in basketball, soccer, and track. He played on the all-province championship basketball team, which was something he spoke of many times with pride. Tip also played in the Silver Cornet Band, which lead to him playing at a later date in the Navy Marching Band and the Shrine Temple Marching Band in Seattle. He always loved band music and was known for driving out to the golf course with his band music blaring.
Tip was a highly competitive man. In business he rose to the top quickly, learning the insurance business inside and out. He held many executive positions while living in Winnipeg, New York, Seattle, and Vancouver. He built the largest sales branch in Canada for Manulife. Tip was also Vice President of Marketing for United States Life, VP of Marketing Sales Division of General Motors, and VP of Manulife Financial, to name a few. He was a member of the faculty at Banff School, Ontario School, and Eastern Seaboard School
Tip’s competitive nature spilled over into his love of golf, which was his sport of choice. He won numerous tournaments and enjoyed the game for decades, playing all over the world. In his senior years, he was elected to the Northwest Seniors Golf Association, where he was recognized for his contribution to the Association and distinguished as the oldest member of the organization. He enjoyed his memberships at Seattle Golf Club, Capilano Golf Club, and, most recently, Nanaimo Golf Club.
In the winter Tip went south to Palm Desert, where he loved the golf, the sun, and many wonderful friends. He was a fixture there for over forty years.
Tip will be remembered for his enthusiasm for planning and his extreme generosity.
He leaves behind his son, Gregg Bertram; his daughter, Carole Bleistein (Steve); grandchildren, Laura Chutich (Brandon), Vanessa Ryan (Paul), Travis Bertram, Sean Bertram, Reid Bertram, and Keira Bertram; and great grandson, Beau Ryan.
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