Eric Kutzner (left) was a community champion and a well-loved member of the Buzz Coffee House family. He was killed at work on Saturday, Feb. 12. (submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Coffee house homicide victim identified as 79-year-old Eric Kutzner

Feb 16, 2022 | 11:10 AM

NANAIMO — The family of a man killed while showing up to work say he was a community champion.

Eric Kutzner was found dead at Buzz Coffee House around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12. Police responded to a check-well being call at the business to find Kutzner inside, along with James Turok who has been charged with second degree murder.

Nanaimo RCMP issued a statement on behalf of Kutzner’s family, who said he volunteered and advocated for people with disabilities in Creston, before moving to Nanaimo.

“Eric was a smiling face at the Buzz Coffee house every day in the morning, coming in to make sure we had fresh muffins and almond croissants. He truly cared about his family and friends and made new friends every day in his travels around Nanaimo. His family misses him terribly.”

The family requested privacy as they deal with the aftermath of Kutzner’s death and are not planning to issue any further statements during the course of the investigation.

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Kutzner was awarded the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in 2016 for restoring a property in Creston which housed and employed people with developmental and physical disabilities.

Employees at Buzz started an online fundraising campaign to support the family-owned business through the closure and subsequent steps forward.

Donations exceeded $7,300 as of Wednesday morning.

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