Martin Gerald Pretorius
1940-2020
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
www.mcadamsfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Martin Gerald Pretorius 19402020..
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick