In Memory

In Memory of Brother Ron Martin

Unifor Local 4304 members at Grand River Transit are mourning the loss of one of their colleagues. Kitchener Conventional Bus Operator Ron Martin passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 26th. Ron originally started driving for Kitchener Transit in 1990 and has been a well-known figure on Route 8 in Kitchener-Waterloo for most of his bus operating career in Waterloo Region. He will be greatly missed by everyone at Grand River Transit.

Obituary follows…

MARTIN, Ronald Emerson Passed away peacefully at his residence surrounded by family on Sunday, August 26, 2018, at the age of 63 years. Ron Martin was the beloved husband of Lois (Jackson) Martin. Dear stepfather of Kate (Steve) Deveaux. Loved ‘Dumpy’ (grandpa) of Andrew, Hayden, Sydney and Alyson. Survived by sisters Elaine Schlueter (Lloyd) and Rene Huntley (Jeff). Predeceased by parents Edwin and Almeda (Schallhorn) Martin. Ron was an employee of Grand River Transit for 25 years. Visitation will take place on Thursday, August 30, 2018 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira, where a funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow. Interment will take place in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region or the Hospice of Waterloo Region would be appreciated. www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

In Memory of Sister Nancy Zvaniga

Unifor Local 4304 Members at Grand River Transit are in shock and mourning at the loss of their beloved colleague Nancy Zvaniga.

Nancy was a friend and co-worker who defined the culture at GRT with her warm and humorous personality, she was active in the lives of many of her coworkers and she will be missed deeply by everyone who knew her.

A Celebration of Life to honour the memory of Nancy will be held on Friday April 20, 2018 at 7:30PM at the Hespeler Baptist Church, 76 Adam Street, Cambridge.

Visitations will be held at 10:00AM-11:30AM, 1:30PM-3:00PM and 6:30PM-7:30PM.

In loving memory of Nancy, donations may be made to Kids Can Play.

In Memory of Brother Ty Leon

Unifor Local 4304 Members are once again mourning the loss of one of their colleagues.

Tyler (Ty) Leon passed away unexpectedly on August 8, 2017 which has shocked and saddened everyone at Grand River Transit. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, August 15th at 1PM at Corbett Funeral Home, 95 Dundas Street North in Cambridge. Ty was a dedicated Grand River Transit Conventional Bus Operator for 13 years and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

In Memory of Brother Geoff Walford

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of one of our members and colleagues.

Geoff Walford, a conventional bus operator at Grand River Transit, passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack in his home on Saturday, June 17.

While information about final arrangements has not yet been made available, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up by the family to help with funeral costs and to provide for Geoff’s two daughters.

The thoughts and prayers of all the members of Unifor Local 4304 are with Geoff’s family in this difficult time.

You can support the family’s GoFundMe campaign here…

https://www.gofundme.com/geoff-walfords-memorial-fund

In Memory of Brother Nigel Morrell

Unifor Local 4304 Members are mourning the loss of one of their own. Brother Nigel Morrell, a dedicated Human Rights advocate within our membership, a member of our Local’s Human Rights Committee and Conventional Bus Operator at Grand River Transit in the Kitchener-Waterloo Service Area, passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2017.

The passing of Brother Morrell has left a empy place in the hearts of our membership, he will be deeply missed by all.

Many Grand River Transit Operators will be wearing black arm bands or ribbons in honour of Brother Nigel during this time of loss.

Obituary Follows…

In Memory of Nigel Morrell (Tzvi ben Avraham) February 11, 1978 – April 16, 2017

Morrell, Nigel Lee (Tzvi ben Avraham) – Passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2017 in his 40th year. Devoted husband of Tracy Morrell, loving father of Kitty Lee, Korii, Kelsii, Jazmyne Lee and Justice Lee. Beloved son of Cindy Morrell (Roger) and Mark Kovatch (Joan). Son-in-law of Bonnie (Richard) and Donald (Imelda). Much loved brother of Alicia, Kaitlyn, Olivia (Cory), Colby and Cole and brother-in-law of Sean (Charlotte). Uncle of Zoe, Joshua and Abbie. Grandson of Al Morrell (Sandra) and the late Sandra Impraim and Gillian and Mike Kovatch. He will be painfully missed by his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Family and friends may visit at the Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre on Thursday, April 20 from 12-2 and 6-8 pm. Private Interment. Donations may be made to the Cambridge Memorial Hospital – Mental Health Services.

Shiva details as follows:

Nigel’s family will be observing Shiva at 84 Marcy Crescent on Friday April 21 from 3-4 pm and Sunday April 23 to Wednesday April 26 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm.

What is Shiva?
In Judaism, the first period of structured mourning is shiva. The primary purpose of the shiva tradition, or “sitting shiva,” is to create an environment of comfort and community for mourners; it helps guide friends and family members through the loss of a loved one. Throughout the shiva period, mourners come together in one family’s home to offer their condolences and support. For more information, please http://www.shiva.com/learning-center/understanding/