BERNARD MARTZ

1931 - 2016

Bernard Andrew Martz It is with sadness that the family of Bernard Andrew Martz announce his passing on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the age of 85 years. Bernie was predeceased by his parents Martin and Mary (n‚e Buchinger), his brother Eugene and wife Hermena, and his sister Zita and her husband Andrew Lalonde. Dad will be loving remembered by his wife of 63 years, Rosemarie (n‚e Gren), his children: Karen (Larry) Leroux, Bob (Colleen), Patricia (Brad) Greer, and Brenda, his grandchildren: Ryan (Melissa), Jeremy (Sherrisse), Trisha (Mike) O'Sullivan; Natalie (Evan) Gilmore, Andrew (Sabine), Patrick (Karen Vaudry); and Caroline Tofflemire, his great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Lexi, Bailey; Khyla, Lucas; Michael, Matthew; Sophie, and Isabelle. He is also survived by niece Barbara Foster, and nephews Keith (Karen) Lalonde, Carl and Mark Martz, and many other friends and relatives. Bernie was born on January 6, 1931 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He attended St. Joseph's Church and St. John's High School. After a year of hard work plastering homes, he entered the University of Manitoba, graduating with his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1953. He then married Rosemarie Gren and moved to Trois Rivieres and Montreal to begin his career. That was a very busy week for Mom and Dad! In 1955, Bernie signed on as Project Engineer for the Mando Paper Mill in Kenora, Ontario. He raised his family there, purchased a lot on Big Stone Bay and worked with Blackie Belanger and other volunteers on the construction of Storm Bay Road, a feat of which he was very proud. It was through the efforts of this small group, working evenings, sometimes nights and almost every weekend that the area beyond Kimberly road was opened up to road access for all of us to enjoy. Bernie was on the board of directors for both the Notre Dame Credit Union and the Separate School Board. He was also chairman of the building committee for the Beaver Brae High School. When time permitted Dad worked on the building of our family cottage. After Boise Cascade expanded into Canada, Bernie was promoted to Construction Manager to oversee the building of a new pulp and paper mill in DeRidder, Louisiana in 1968. After completing this mill in record time he was transferred to Fort Frances and managed the construction of the new Kraft mill in 1970. He returned to Kenora in 1972. In 1975, he was transferred to Tacoma, Washington to manage the Steilacoom mill. After 11 successful years Bernie was promoted again and transferred back to Kenora, as Manager and Regional Vice President. Returning to take over the reins of the paper mill where he got his start as a young engineer was a very satisfying way to end his remarkable career, retiring in 1989. Dad often remarked in the last few years how painful it was for him to drive down 9th Street North in Kenora and no longer see the paper mill where so many of his friends and neighbors had toiled for so many years. Bernie and Rosemarie lived in Tacoma and now Gig Harbor, Washington to be close to their daughter, Brenda. He was actively involved with Action DD, Friends of Rainier, and Voice of the Retarded. Dad was a kind and caring man who loved his family above all else. Dad/Grampa showed that hard work and an unwavering devotion to family are the cornerstones to a good life. He loved his views of the water, the wonder of nature and the beauty of hummingbirds. Dad was happiest when the family gathered, most commonly at the camp ... and if he could have caught all or some of the fish ... it was damn right perfect! Through all of our numerous moves, Dad's beloved camp was always our constant, our home. It's where the family always gathered and this tradition carries on to this day. A celebration of Dad's life will be held in Kenora, early August 2017. Details announced closer to the date. "Praise all but the vanishing point where we stand now, (not quite parted). Already memories fall like blows. But soon they will be treasure, dropped like gold..." Barbara Kingsolver