Garry Brem, 36, building materials dealer, saved Laron 0. Crawley and Evan S. Bloom, each 9, from drowning, Gilroy, California, January 25, 1969. While Laron and Evan were wading in creek water which had overflowed a roadway, the current swept them into the creek. Evan obtained a hold on a bush extending above the water, but Laron was carried downstream. Brem saw the boys and, telling Evan to maintain his hold on the bush, ran 200 feet along the bank in pursuit of Laron. He then removed his shoes and entered the cold, muddy water. Brem waded and swam to 75 feet from the bank, where he intercepted Laron in water 12 feet deep. After towing Laron to safety, Brem ran to opposite Evan. Just then the bush to which Evan was holding pulled out, and he was carried downstream. Brem again ran 200 feet along the bank. Because his clothing had impeded his earlier swimming, he removed his jacket and trousers. He waded and swam 75 feet to Evan, who was submerging intermittently. While he was towing Evan toward the bank, Brem’s legs became cramped. Another man met them when they reached wadable water, and he took Evan to the bank. Brem, who was nearly exhausted waded from the water.
50693-5559Obituary
Garry Brem passed away peacefully on May 6, 2024 at the age of 91.Garry was born on July 13, 1932 in Gilroy, California to the parents of George Richard Brem and Sarah (Heilmann) Brem. Garry is the grandson of Ottavio R. Brem, who immigrated to Gilroy from Switzerland in the late 1800’s and Christina (Vischer) Brem. Garry is survived by his wife Carol (Ball) Brem and a niece Jaquline Brem and nephews Lawrence, Robert and Randall Brem. He is preceded in death by his parents and only sibling George “Steve” Brem. After serving in the US Army post Korean War, Garry operated Brem’s Trucking and Brem’s Gravel and Sand in Gilroy from the mid-1960’s until retirement. His hobbies were aviation, snow skiing and hunting with his father on the family-owned Dowdy Ranch. After retirement, he and Carol would travel the air show circuit due to their passion for military aviation. In 1969 he saved two 9-year-old boys from drowning in Uvas Creek. While wadding in fast-moving water both boys were swept away, and Garry pulled each of them from the creek prevented their drowning. For his actions, Garry received the Carnegie Hero Award from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.