Donald "Boots" Brasseur

Donald "Boots" Brasseur - Canada (2) 

CLAIRMONT: Forgotten Burlington soldier was harmonica superstar

By Susan Clairmont Spectator Columnist The Hamilton Spectator Wed., Dec. 24, 2014

Perhaps you knew him by his stage name: Boots Brasseur.

He was a famous harmonica player who could play "Stardust" like nobody's business and performed with the likes of Bob Hope and Perry Como.

I wrote about Boots earlier this week. A story about a Canadian soldier who died with no next of kin, few dollars and a lonely, government-funded funeral service set for the day before Christmas. I spent a day trying to learn his story with little luck.

But that's because I didn't know he was Boots.

If I had known that, I would have found his Wikipedia page, his recordings on iTunes.

Instead, I called him by his proper name, the one in his obit and funeral notice: Donald Joseph Brasseur. He was 89 and a veteran and I knew he lived in Burlington and had dementia in the end.

Many of you reached out to me about the column and the funeral, which is happening Wednesday at 10: 30 a.m. at Smith's Funeral Home on Brant Street in Burlington. A firefighter told me he will attend the funeral in uniform. Halton police are providing an escort to the cemetery. There will be an honour guard.

One of the first to email me was Bob Richardson, past president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 in Burlington. Boots was his friend.

Let me fill you in.

Boots was born April 17, 1925 in Midland.

"As a young boy, he heard his mother playing the harmonica," says Richardson. "He asked for one, which he was given. He practised all the time."

He joined the army in 1944 and trained at Camp Borden. He landed at Normandy on D-Day and was later injured at Falaise, receiving a concussion.

His nickname came from "his habit of having a pair of tied boots slung around his neck."

After the war, Boots formed a trio called The Three Reeds, and in the early '50s they won a talent show at Maple Leaf Gardens hosted by Horace Heidt, an American bandleader.

"Heidt's talent show catapulted many performers to prominence," says Richardson, including Art Carney and Al Hirt.

After their win, The Three Reeds got gigs at Toronto clubs.

"In search of more work, they went to the British Isles and played in England, Scotland and Ireland," Richardson says.

A highlight was sharing a billing in Liverpool with headliner Bob Hope. Boots cherished an autograph from Hope that says: "To The Three Reeds. A fine act."

A modest man, Boots did mention to friends he had once played with Perry Como.

Back in Canada, Boots performed solo. He made TV appearances, recorded an album of Christmas music and was featured in a 2009 documentary called "The Life and Times of Donald 'Boots' Brasseur," which aired across the country on CTV.

He became the "darling" of Branch 60 karaoke nights, playing rather than singing.

Boots was often there with his companion of many years, Rita, who sang like Patsy Cline, says Richardson, and together they were a marvellous couple.

In 2011, Boots was a finalist in a televised national talent competition for seniors. One judge, Hee Haw's Gordie Tapp, told him: "You owned the stage."

Video shows a dapper Boots gliding on stage in a tux and red pocket square.

Richardson's wife, Jane, says Boots had tiny harmonica cufflinks he could actually play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on.

"He was just beautiful. He was the sweetest man you've ever wanted to meet," she says.

Rita died a few months ago and Boots, who had slipped into dementia, was unaware of her death. He died Dec. 17.

One of Boots' lasting gifts to us is a CD he recorded called "Memories of Christmas." His favourite carol was "Away in a Manger."

Boots played it so sweetly he could make you cry.