Obituary of Berthold Sonnenberg

SONNENBERG, Berthold (Bert) - Peacefully passed away Friday morning at the age of 82 at the Dover Cliffs Long-Term Care Centre in Port Dover. Bert was born in Zurawiec, Poland on Jan. 8, 1928, the son of Rudolph and Emilia Sonnenberg (nee Seewald). Bert and his family arrived in Canada several months later, settling in Townsend Centre. Survived by children Theresa Sonnenberg (John Davis), Leanore Angyal (Gil), Mark, Monte, Bryan (Angie Eichel) and their mother Thelma Fehr Vickers. Bert was the proud grandfather of Braden Martyniuk (Melissa), Jessica Sonnenberg, Georgia Sonnenberg and great-grandfather of Tyler Martyniuk. Bert is also survived by siblings Max Sonnenberg (Shirley), Editha Tate, Ella Sonnenberg, Marlene Perkins (Frank), Arnold Sonnenberg (Barb), and Harold Sonnenberg (Cinda). Bert was the special "Grandpa" of Larry and Sally Martyniuk, their children Christopher and Olivia, Bob Martyniuk, Daniel Davis, and Sean and Liam Bonner. Predeceased by his parents, son Russell, partner Nadia Martyniuk, granddaughter Kendra Martyniuk, and siblings Erna Wiedrick, Henry Sonnenberg, Fleda Sonnenberg and Albert Sonnenberg. Bert was a respected farmer in the Townsend Centre-Renton area his entire life. He was particularly proud that he was still on his tractor cultivating his fields at age 80. Bert was a capable graphic artist and multi-talented individual who began building barns and houses as a teenager. He also designed and built complex agricultural machinery - including the Sonnenberg Delta tomato harvester - to meet the needs of the farming industry and the specialized needs of Norfolk farmers. Bert took a special interest in flying and was a long-time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association of Brantford. Over the years, he spent his spare time landscaping his farm at the corner of Cockshutt Road and Townsend Concession 12, rebuilding his Piper Cherokee airplane and restoring his first car: a 1941 Cadillac. Bert will be remembered for his love of the land, strong work ethic, creative mind and unassuming manner. The Thompson-Mott Funeral Home in Waterford is handling arrangements. A funeral service will be said Monday, Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel there, with burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held 2 p.m. till 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. till 9 p.m. Sunday, December 12. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bert's name to the Simcoe & District Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.9719086