Obituary of Wilfred John Joseph Martel

John Joseph Wilfred (Bill) Martel, 85, of St. Andrews, Manitoba passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg on March 25, 2025.  Willy, as he was affectionately known, was born April 7, 1939 in Winnipeg. 

 

He leaves behind his sister Joan Reimer, nephews Daryl Reimer (Ruth), David Reimer (Marty), and nieces Corinne Jeffrey and Colleen Reimer and their families. 

 

Predeceased by his parents Corinne and Adelard Martel, brother-in-law Stan Reimer, nephew Rick Reimer and Tim Jeffrey.

 

Fondly remembered by friends Ed Unrau, Cody and Bonnie Smith and family and Kevin Funk.

 

Willy was an avid gardener, offering advice to numerous gardening websites.  He had beautiful Manitoba lilies, and a thriving vegetable garden.  He loved motorcycles taking many road trips with his buddies over the years and keeping his 1973 Honda to this day.

 

He sorely missed his dog Max and would often talk about him given the chance.  He was the original Red Green, one of his Favourite TV shows, and cobbled together many creative fixes to keep things running.  In the early 70’s he purchased a small plot of land on the Whitemouth River and took a round metal grain bin and created a very cool cottage with a loft that ran entirely on 12-volt electricity with rechargeable batteries. Clean energy long before it was in vogue.

 

Willy loved his CB Radio, computers, cellphones and robots, if it was technical he was engaged.  His latest purchase was a robot mower that cut the grass for him!  He still had his Commodore 64 in working condition.  He was a big fan of everything NASA, space and science fiction.  Big Bang was also a favourite show.

 

Willy worked for many years at the Sears Warehouse on Inkster Boulevard until his retirement. 

 

He was an early fan of DNA testing and ancestry.  He did a lot of research into his family background and was particularly interested in ties to Indigenous ancestors.  He enjoyed nature and photography and had thousands of pictures and videos on file on his numerous computers.

 

He made homemade bread, Bannock, Borscht, Tourtiere pies and enjoyed an occasional Black Russian.  He was an avid fan of the Black Hawks, following the career of Jonathon Toews, a distant relative, closely.     

 

Cremation has taken place and a private service will be held at a later date.

 

Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Willy should consider a favourite charity.

 

Willy signed his email with this quote:

 

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God’s heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth