German-Canadian Remembrance Society

We are a charitable, non-profit organization of Canadian citizens of German descent.

We help support projects, annual events and festivities that align with our vision of being committed to the preservation and promotion of German culture, traditions and heritage. 

German speaking immigrants were among the first pioneers who laid a solid groundwork for the prosperity and beauty we so proudly enjoy. Today over three million Canadians of German, Austrian and Swiss descent make their home in Canada. This group represents a large segment of the Canadian mosaic and is the third largest ethnic group in Canada.


You're invited to join us for:

Volkstauertag (Remembrance Day)

Sunday November 16, 2025

2:30 p.m., at Woodland Cemetary (119 Arlington Blvd., Kitchener)

& Afterwards for: 

Kaffee & Kuchen (Coffee & Cake)

Hosted by the Transylvania Club (Located at the Alpine Club, 464 Maple Ave, Kitchener)


See Volkstauertag Details

Preservation of German Culture

German Heritage and Culture

Since the days of these pioneers – craftsmen, farmers, carpenters and bakers – a lot has changed. New industries and businesses have successfully developed and the German Canadian economic and scientific cooperation has broadened. Today, we find highly qualified and successful German immigrants in all parts of Canadian business and science. Researchers, professors and doctors are building academic bridges between Canada and Germany. They contribute to scientific progress together with their Canadian partners. About 700 German companies in Canada employ roughly 55,000 people, most of them located in Ontario.

Many German-speaking Canadians and their families maintain their cultural heritage and keep a bond with their country of origin by supporting various associations, social clubs, business clubs, choirs and German language schools. As well, by attending and volunteering at German-Canadian festivals and events.
Learn more about Support & Membership

Historical Crests

About Us

As a charitable, non-profit organization of Canadian citizens of German descent and heritage, we are committed to the progressive documentation, maintenance, representation and promotion of the achievements and legacy of German immigrants in Canada.

Learn More About Us    GCRS Board of Directors 

GCRS was founded based on the initiative and legacy of three business people:

  1. Paul Tuerr, a well-known philanthropist, developer and entrepreneur from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
  2. Tony Bergmeier, a builder in Waterloo Region and founder of Christkindl Market at Kitchener City Hall in 1997.
  3. Klaus Koeppen

Historical images of GCRS

Examples of GCRS activities

2 EVENTS

1. Volkstrauertag ~ Remembrance Day

Sunday November 16, 2025, you are invited to a Memorial Ceremony held at Woodland Cemetery in Kitchener (119 Arlington Blvd., Kitchener), and afterwards at Transylvania Club  (Located at the Alpine Club, 464 Maple Ave, Kitchener)

See Volkstauertag Details   Facebook

2. German Pioneers Day

Celebrated the day after Thanksgiving, in October

PROJECTS

KW Oktoberfest Carillon
The TimeKeeper is located at William & King Street in Uptown Waterloo

Glockenspiel
Located at the corner of Benton & King Street in Downtown Kitchener

SUPPORT

Concordia Children’s Choir
Spring and Christmas concerts are performed by the Children’s Choir, from the German Language School Concordia, conducted by Angelika Werner

FESTIVITIES

KW Oktoberfest is Canada’s largest Bavarian Festival featuring Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda

Christkindl Market is a festival of German Christmas, held in downtown Kitchener in December

THANK YOU to the Friedrich Schiller Foundation for German-Canadian Culture
for their ongoing financial support of our German-Canadian community,
 including our related events and activites.