BRUNNER, Martin – Passed away peacefully with his family at his side at Oakcrossing Retirement Living in London, Ontario on November 11, 2024 after a very long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 82 years old.
Martin was the beloved husband of the late Annemarie Margarete Brunner (Kuhlen) (2015) for 50 years, loving father to Markus (Ann Marie) and Annette (Karlo). Martin was a loving Opa to Lukas (Allie), Cole (Eva), Maximillian and Magnus. Loving partner of Madeleine Schmidt for 8 years, extended family to James (Lourdes) and Evan Zeller as well as Paula (Mike) and Fiona Gohier
Martin was one of four children of the late Gustav and Anne Margarete Brunner, (Neidhart), brother of the late Anne Schedtler (Peter), brother of Karl Wilhelm (Edith) and brother of Beate Pelz (Reiner) who reside in Germany. Martin will be fondly remembered by all of his family and many friends. Martin was born in Kassel Germany on March 27, 1942. He immigrated to Canada in March of 1967. He came to Canada with his family to begin his pipe organ building career that was short lived as he did not enjoy the travel, taking him away from family. He accepted a job with Richard Wilcox in 1969 as a draftsman. In 1972 Martin started a position with Ford Motor Company in Talbotville until his retirement in 2002.
He became a proud Canadian citizen who traveled this country with his family from coast to coast and always expressed a fierce love and admiration for his adopted country. Martin was an amazing man with many talents. He was a craftsman when it came to woodworking thanks to his pipe organ trade. He could build almost anything out of wood. His family was most important to him. His love for his children, their partners, his grandchildren and extended family was always felt.
Martin was a people person and was always up for a gathering or celebration with family and friends. He had a great sense of humour, a twinkle in his eyes and loved to laugh. Some of Martin’s other passions were camping in his younger years, traveling the world, nature, bird watching (like his father), playing games, good food, good wine, singing in the church choir, a good movie and watching his children and grandchildren flourish.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hahn at the London Cancer Clinic for her extraordinary guidance, care and kindness, Dr. Ott, Dr. Quan, Dr. Dieter Bruckschwaiger and Dr. MacLean for their amazing care and compassion, as well as all of the wonderful nurses he met on his journey. The family would also like to thank the staff at Oakcrossing Retirement Living, Martin’s final place of residence
A memorial service will be held at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, 1344 Commissioners Rd W, London, ON N6K 1E1 on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. with a celebration of Martin’s life to follow at the Byron Legion 533, 1276 Commissioners Rd W, London, ON N6K 1E1. In lieu of flowers, Martin has requested donations to be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and St Joseph’s Hospice in London where his wife, Annemarie, spent the last days of her life.