Obituary of Jerry Martin Brunen

Jerry Martin Brunen passed away June 4, 2018 with family at his side.  Jerry was born in Kitchener, Ontario to Joseph and Rita (nee Paradis) Brunen, the fourth of six children.  He graduated Grade 13 from Kitchener Collegiate Institute and then took a Fish & Wildlife Technician Diploma from Sir Sanford Fleming College.  He worked for a few years with Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Fisheries before heading out to the Rocky Mountains on a train with less than $5.00 in his pocket.  Jerry's love of nature led to a long career in environmental conservation, spending 30 years with Ducks Unlimited Canada, first in Brooks, then Hanna, Strathmore, and Calgary.  He was a founding member of Western Sky Land Trust in Calgary and served as Executive Director for the last seven years.  During his career, Jerry helped conserve over 100,000 acres of Alberta's treasured landscapes and was honoured by the province with the prestigious 2016 Emerald Award for individual commitment to the environment.  Jerry truly was one of those rare individuals who loved going to work, especially on the days he got to go “where the deer and the antelope play”.  He is survived by a broken-hearted family:  the Alberta girl he married almost 33 years ago, Marion (nee Bur), and their four children:  Jeffrey, Joel, Matthew, and Megan.  Jerry is also survived by a sister Norma Horst; four brothers Fred, Len, Daniel, and Vern; Aunt Anna Paradis; step-father Herb Montgomery; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.  His family is thankful to all his relatives and friends who crossed the country to visit him in his last days.  A family burial has already taken place.  There will be a Celebration of Jerry's Life at the Southern Alberta Pioneers' Memorial Building (3625 - 4 Street SW, Calgary) on Tuesday, June 26, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.