Patriarch of Tuk's Gruben family fondly remembered
Eddie Gruben, founder of E. Gruben Transport and one of the wealthiest residents of NWT, died on June 20 at age 96
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Saturday, July 2, 2016
TUKTOYAKTUK
The late Eddie Gruben of Tuktoyaktuk may or may not have been the richest man in the NWT, but his wealth should not be measured by money alone, but by his family and friends. So said Mervin Gruben, Eddie's grandson and co-owner of the company that Eddie founded in 1973, E. Gruben Transport. The patriarch of the Gruben family died at home in Tuk on June 20, the day after Father's Day, at age 96.
This undated photo shows Eddie Gruben sitting in the middle of a room full of women. Clockwise from bottom left are Tootsie Lugt, Millie Gruben, Rosemary Lundrigan, Triggie Stefure, Louisa Gruben, Patsy Yakeleya, and Maureen Gruben. Eddie Gruben died June 20 at age 96. He is best known as the founder of E. Gruben Transport and was believed to be one of the wealthiest people in the NWT. - photo courtesy of Maureen Gruben
|
In a report released in 2015, the Grubens were listed as one of the four wealthiest families in the NWT.
"He was wealthy in money and very rich in family and friends. He was priceless to me," Mervin said. "He was a multi-millionaire. He would have to be if he was one of the owners of Gruben Transport." Mervin was not about to speculate on Eddie's net wealth at the time of his death.
He said that he does not remember a time in his life when his grandfather wasn't around to influence him.
"I was born and raised with him. When I was born my parents didn't have their own place so we stayed with them. All my life he was close by," Mervin said. "Him and my dad started a company with trapping in the early 1950s. They made enough money to buy Bombardiers and they made more money after that and bought more equipment and that's where our company really started."
Mervin laughed when asked by News North why his grandfather was such a successful businessman.
"He was a very stubborn man. One of the biggest things he told all the family was with determination and effort you can do anything. That was his legacy," Gruben said. "He also like to joke and tease - that's something we will never forget. His sense of humour helped keep him young. He also had fresh fish for breakfast, lunch and supper. He thought that was a key to his longevity."
Mervin said Eddie taught him about the value of a buck from a very early age.
"I was 12 years old running a Cat and I got this Cat stuck in a gravel pit," Mervin said. "My grandfather was giving me heck and said 'you know Mervin, it cost me $100 to get that Cat out.' That was 30 years ago but I never forgot that. I never argued with my grandfather."
Mervin said that his grandfather was well-known as one of the best hunters in the area.
"He hunted a lot for the community. One summer they got about 30 whales for the community - him and some other hunters. He was very generous. He helped people who were starving in Paulatuk. He got them seals and fish. A lot of people didn't have the things he had. He helped people because he could."
Mervin said that despite his business success, Eddie, at times, had a tough life filled with tragedy. He was the father of nine children, two boys and seven girls. But both sons predeceased him. One son died in 2001 in an ice road accident. Another son, Mervin's father, died in 2007 at age 66. Eddie's wife died in 1987. All seven daughters are still alive. Mervin estimated that there are about 150 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Mervin said that most of the community came out for a memorial and dinner for Eddie in Tuk on June 26. Friends and relatives also came from across the country.
Mervin said the family has not yet gone through Eddie's will. He and his cousin Justin Gruben have been the majority owners of the company since Eddie stepped back from the day-to-day operation some years ago. Mervin said that he misses Eddie tremendously but was glad that he got to see him in person on Father's Day, the day before he died.
"He seemed alright to me. I didn't expect that was the last time I was going to seem him alive," Mervin said. "It's been pretty lonely. I keep waning to phone him. We keep expecting the phone to ring - that he's going to call."
Mervin said that his father had some health issues in recent years but that he essentially died of natural causes. He said he thinks his grandfather was proud of the way the company was being run, including its biggest contract ever - to co-construct the Inuvik to Tuk Highway.
