The 78-year-old was fatally hit by a vehicle around 10:20 on Tuesday morning, near Park Avenue South on Markland Street. Police claim that the driver fled before being arrested at a short distance.
Shortly after the incident, tributes began to arrive to Brott, whose CV included being the conductor and artistic director of the Orchester classique de Montréal (OCM), founder of the Hamilton Brott Music Festival, and a member of the Order of Canada. the Order of Ontario.
“We are devastated,” Alex Brott’s daughter told CTV News Toronto on Wednesday. “He really had a very deep impact on people who loved music and he was a very good communicator.”
OCM issued a statement late Tuesday night to share the news of the death of their “beloved conductor”.
The band said their community was in a state of disbelief and that Brott was a mentor to “countless young musicians”.
Alex repeated it, telling CTV News Toronto that her father often made people feel they could do what they dreamed of.
“So many people have had such sweet things and memories and small chunks of time that they remember where he encouraged them and made them feel amazing,” he said. “That was really his big gift.”
Alex said that her father was so present not only in their lives but also in the house where they grew up. “It’s weird to be in this building without him,” he said.
“He is a huge personality. Only the largest light in the room. “And everyone is just trying to figure out where all the lights are right now.”
“He was a passionate guy and that passion was contagious,” added Alex’s brother, David Brott.
The Special Investigation Unit is investigating the arrest after the driver’s vehicle collided with several police vehicles, injuring three police officers.
Both police officers and drivers were taken to hospital for treatment.
