January 30, 1928 - September 1, 2024
It is with immeasurable sadness we announce that Martin passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Evergreen Seniors Home.
Martin is survived by his four children, Catherine (Wayne) Davis, Peter (Cheryl) Broeren, Tess (Patrick) Zumkeller and Michele Broeren, his nine grandchildren, Corey (Chad), Tyson (Meghan), Kelsey (Dave), Skylar, Hayley, Alli (Trae), Jessa, Quinn, Cale, and eight great-grandchildren. Also survived by his brothers-in-law in The Netherlands, Pierre (Cocky) and Herman (Pauly) van Giels, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife, Riet (nee van Giels).
Martin was born in Roosendaal, Holland, on January 30, 1928, and was the youngest of six children. He met the love of his life, Riet in 1946 during Carnival. Martin immigrated to Canada in January 1951 and Riet followed in November 1952 and they were married that same month in Toronto. Martin went to the University of Toronto earning his degree in forestry, while Riet worked as a lab technician at Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. They moved to Newfoundland in 1957 where all four of their children were born. There, Martin worked as a forester for the Provincial Government, travelling all over Labrador & Newfoundland by helicopter which he loved.
In 1969, Martin & Riet packed up their family and drove across Canada, coast to coast and arrived in Campbell River which has been their home ever since. Martin enjoyed being employed as District Forestry Supervisor for MacMillan Bloedel Menzies Bay Division for 22 years. He had several hobbies, including gardening, reading, listening to classical music, walking & singing in the church choir. He also liked to make wine & pickled herring, play bridge & crib and spent countless hours recording classical music onto cassette tapes. Martin enrolled in power squadron courses and then later went on to teach them for many years. He also volunteered his time to help manage the church's finances. His love of classical music led him to volunteering and he was a long-time board member of the Campbell River Concert Association, now the Tidemark Society. His passion of all things cultural & classical instilled into his four children.
Martin had a great admiration for ships. He loved boating & sailing and would also regularly work & visit his sailboat at the Campbell River Government Wharf. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and loved huge family dinners & attending all of his children's sporting events. Martin had a full life, he was a devoted husband and a great father and Opa.
We want to make special mention of the incredible staff at Evergreen Seniors Home where he spent the last 18 months of his life. He will be greatly missed. He has now joined his wife, Riet, his Mom & Dad, his sisters Lisa & Joke, and his brothers Peter, Bert, & Gerald. Rest easy, until we meet again.
Please join us for a Prayer Vigil on Friday, October 11th at 7:00pm, followed by a Catholic Mass (funeral) on Saturday, October 12th at 1pm at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 34 South Alder Street, Campbell River. Reception to follow at the Parish Hall. Flowers gratefully declined.
Island Funeral Services Elk Falls Crematorium
Service Details
1:00 PM