MARTIN WILLIAM SAYER

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MARTIN WILLIAM SAYER With sadness, the family of Martin William Sayer announces his passing on November 21, 2012 at 80 years. Martin is survived by his wife Pat, children Deborah Glen (John), Tracy Lynn (Jamie), Graham Tinley (Alice); grandchildren Meghan (Mike), Ian (Lindsay), Audrey (Rob), Taylor, Tanner, Curtis, and great-granddaughter Alannah. He was predeceased by his mother Beatrice Mary (nee Masters), and siblings Audrey Jocelyn Hewitt and John Ernest Sayer. Martin was born in Coventry, UK, May 3 1932. He followed his brother John to Stoney Creek, Ontario in 1954 where he soon met and married Pat, his wife of 57 years. Following the arrival of their three children, the family moved to Manitoba in 1963 - first Winnipeg, then Hazelridge, then finally Beausejour in 1995. Although a quiet and gentle man, Martin was a wonderful storyteller, always ready with a humourous tale of growing up in small town England, his exploits with life-long friend Jeff Horne and his military police experiences following the Second World War. Always an animal lover, his stories often included his faithful dogs Tess, Lance, Sooner, Snoopy, Duke and Trapper. His hobby farm at Hazelridge with cows, horses, geese, chickens, rabbits, cats and dogs was one of the most contented times of his life. Martin worked at many jobs, but his career as a self-taught architectural model builder for MMP Architects and later as an independent businessman were his proudest achievements. Beautiful in artistry and meticulous in detail, Martin's models of the Royal Winnipeg Mint, the Richardson Building, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet facility were among his best works. In retirement, Martin and Pat traveled extensively in Europe, and enjoyed motor home travel throughout Canada and the United States including Alaska. The family is grateful for the many kindnesses of the staff at the Beausejour Hospital, Pat's Friday Afternoon Knit Group, Pat Mazur, Olga Relf, Val Bush, and Elaine and Paul Heinl. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba are appreciated. Cremation has taken place. Interment in Warwickshire, England will occur in spring 2013. A Celebration of Martin's Life will be held at Sobering Funeral Chapel, Park Avenue East, Beausejour, Manitoba on Wednesday, November 28 at 1:30 p.m. We love you, Dad and Grandad. You are forever with us through the things you taught us: to love animals, to create with our hands, and to seek peace in the beauty of a flower garden.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2012