Obituary of Martin Gerald Pretorius

Passed away peacefully at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB, on November 28, 2020, Martin Gerald Pretorius, in his 81st year after a long battle with Parkinson’s. Martin was born in Gwelo, Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and grew up in Umtali and Salisbury, Rhodesia where he excelled athletically in cricket and soccer. He remained a participant and lover of sports and was an avid golfer. After a short career in the Merchant Navy where he had the opportunity to travel extensively, he immigrated to Canada in September 1964, residing and working as a millwright and trade instructor in Bowaters Pulp and Paper in Corner Brook, NL, Vocational School in Grand Falls, NL, and Wabush Mines in NL. In 1999, he and his wife, Jean (neé England), retired in Pasadena, NL, and more recently in 2016, moved to Fredericton, NB, to be closer to family, residing at Ste. Anne’s Court and most recently at Parkland Retirement Living. Martin was a proud life member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Wabush and Pasadena Branches) and a member of Wabush Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Labrador Rod and Gun Club as well as the Trap and Skeet Club with a number of trophies awarded showing his expertise in those sports. He was always an active volunteer in his community, especially in lifeguarding and scuba diving, while residing in Labrador. He will be forever lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 55 years, Jean, his daughter Jeanette Pretorius and her husband Jeffrey Jodoin, his son David Pretorius and his wife Joanne, his four beloved grandchildren Kaitlyn and Ryan Jodoin, Amy and Ian Pretorius, his brother Andrew Pretorius and his wife Valerie, his sister Constance Combrinck, plus a large circle of nieces, nephews, and many special friends who enriched his life. Martin was predeceased by his parents Martin and Cecilia Pretorius, his stepfather William Goodchild, his wife’s parents Annie and William England, his brother Cecil Combrinck and sister Jean Meyer, his brothers in law Harold and Bramwell England and Alan Meyer, sisters in law Florence Bennett, Pansy Noseworthy, Shirley Parsons Snook and Daphne Combrinck. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses of the Chalmers Hospital who gave Martin excellent and compassionate care, to the caregiving staff of Shannex Thomas Hall, Parkland Retirement Living, Bayshore Home Care and Fredericton Extra Mural for their services, and to Vickie Fulton, his special caregiver nurse whom he adored. Heartfelt thanks as well to all the regular staff at Parkland and Ste. Anne’s Court who always made him feel special, especially the Parkland Dining Room staff who loved to humour him. Please know your kindness to him will be forever remembered by his family. Cremation has taken place. Due to circumstances related to the Covid-19 pandemic there will be no funeral service or family reception. Donations in Martin’s memory can be made to any local SPCA. Forever Loved