Paul Tuerr Construction Ltd.
Celebrates 60 Years

When the Tuerr family puts a celebration together it is done with the flair of connoisseurs. And this they did again: celebrating 60 years of Paul Tuerr Construction Limited at the Westmount Golf and Country Club, in the evening of Thursday May 21, 2009.

Reception at the Westmount GC Club

The family, led by Helene Schramek (daughter and Master of Ceremonies), welcomed well over 100 guests to cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a dinner superbly prepared to perfection. Rare it is indeed to have a strip loin so perfectly (medium) grilled and delivered hot and tender to the tables for so many people.

60 years of a well organized successful company led by a man, who started it all when he had not even reached age 30, and still going strong (the company and the man), deserves to be celebrated with pride and style. And the man, Paul Tuerr, founder and President, was there to be celebrated for this success over so many years by family, friends, associations and politicians alike. Helene Schramek humorously requested speakers to limit their presentations, and with great effort they curtailed their words to highlight only the most significant contributions Paul Tuerr and his company made to the community. Certificates of Congratulations were presented from all levels of government, including from:

• Harold Albrecht MP - Kitchener-Conestoga
• Stephen Woodworth MP - Kitchener Centre
• Peter Braid MP - Kitchener-Waterloo
• Dalton McGuinty, Premier - presented by John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre
• John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre
• Elizabeth Witmer, MPP Kitchener-Waterloo
• Ken Seiling, Regional Chair
• Mayor Carl Zehr and the Council & Citizens of the City of Kitchener
  

and from:

• Anton Bergmeier, National President DKK
• Ernst Friedel, President DKK Ontario
• Werner Schlueter, President Concordia Club Kitchener
  

Guests of Honour

Paul Tuerr accepted the recognition graciously and eloquently and spoke, as President and person, of the people, who had supported him and his company over all these years, highlighting his family, but also his hardworking, loyal and dedicated secretary and office-manager for 38 years, Diane Jones, who was also present to celebrate this milestone.

A devoted family man, Paul Tuerr found the time to develop many projects, but also involved himself in many clubs, was a founder and co-founder in several associations and societies, co-founded a newspaper, and involved himself personally and financially in the community wherever he could. At the Mannheim Village Estates he created The Anna Tuerr Memorial Park which commemorates the personal legacy of his late wife Anna, namely her conviction that violence and hatred have no future in this world.

In 1992 Canada’s Governor General through Andrew Telegdi awarded him the Golden Jubilee Medal, which honours individuals for their significant contributions made to Canada, their community or to their fellow citizens.

Paul Tuerr started the company in 1949 with $1,000 of borrowed funds, just 7 months after arriving in Canada. Paul Tuerr Construction Ltd. (PTC) built homes and apartment buildings, including one of the first high-rise apartment buildings in Waterloo: the Metropolitan Towers. PTC went on to develop the subdivision near Rockway Golf Course, as well as Country Hills, Woodhill Estates and Mannheim Village Estates residential subdivisions. A commercial Huron Business Park was developed, then sold to the City of Kitchener.

His life and accomplishments are covered in a biography, written by Dr. Ulrich Frisse in 2004, titled "Der Weg zum Erfolg. Paul Tuerr - eine deutsch-kanadische Lebensgeschichte", published by Trans Atlantic Publications. Also available in English, titled "A History of Success: Paul Tuerr : a German-Canadian Life".

The ease, graciousness, and spirit, with which Paul Tuerr responded to the accolades throughout the evening and in his eloquent speech, made it clear that he is, as always, in charge of his company and looked ready to start new projects and ventures at any time.