Martin Kupferschmidt

Martin Kupferschmidt, loving husband, father, opa, uropa, uncle, sibling and friend, left this world on the day of his 85th birthday, November 11, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge, Ontario. 

Martin was born on November 11, 1938, in Filipowo, Austria. During the 2nd World War Martin’s family was forced into a concentration camp where he learned to snare birds in order to help save his family from starvation. Incredibly, at the young age of five, he escaped this camp under the folds of his aunt's skirt, learned to speak Hungarian and miraculously avoided capture from Serbian soldiers. Through incredible determination and fortitude Martin and his family were reunited after five years in Austria. Martin immigrated alone to Canada at a young age arriving with $2 dollars left in his pocket yet he managed to create a life filled with success and happiness. Martin had an incredible ability to make something out of nothing. His Canadian life began with a short stint at Pillar Meats and BF Goodrich in Kitchener.

He met Gerarda Maria Petronella (Helmond) the love of his life in Kitchener, Ontario. She first caught his eye while outside the Bell telephone building while he was surveying and then again when he saw her dancing beautifully at the Alpine Club.  They were engaged shortly after and married in 1962.  Following the building of his first home, they moved their young family north to Muskoka in 1968, trading that new home for a gas station on Hwy 11, Gravenhurst. He graduated with a degree in Land Surveying (Engineering) from University of Toronto in 1974. After which, he started his own company in Gravenhurst, Ontario. 

Martin and Gerarda's romance lasted 40 years and was blessed with three wonderful children. With remarkable determination and grit, he built a number of homes for his family (including one off the grid). His resilience and resourcefulness were truly commendable. 

An entrepreneurial visionary with a brilliant mind and an aptitude for mathematics and problem-solving, Martin possessed a unique talent for tackling any challenge that came his way. Whether it was figuring out how to rebuild a 70-foot long 1903 ship, purchasing a snowmobile dealership, teaching himself how to use the new trendy windsurfer, honing true hunting skills using compound bow & blackpowder, wine making, golf, curling  or being a member of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron, he approached every task he set his mind too with unwavering determination and a unique ability to succeed. 

Following a 20-year career as a land surveyor and property investor, he retired at 50 years of age to utilize his talents in commercial and home renovations, building their final forever home on Lake Muskoka and supporting his wife in her fashion business. He tragically lost the late Gerarda much too soon but while continuing to visit their beloved 2nd home in Ozello, Florida, he met Normajean Fahey a few years later to share time together until her recent passing. 

Martin will be dearly missed by his children: Paul (Sandy), Richard (Sandra), and Barbara (Chrigel). His love and guidance will forever remain in their hearts as they honour his memory through the values he instilled in them, including you can do anything you put your mind to.

His grandchildren Cody (Kristina), Jordan (Jesse), Wyatt (Chloe), Alex, Griffin, Korina, and Niko have wonderful memories of adventures and life lessons learned from their opa.

Martin was fortunate to have great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to his life. Lawrence, Sasha, and Agnes provided a great source of entertainment for their uropa.

Martin is predeceased by his parents Anna (Keller) and Paul Kupferschmidt and survived by his siblings Jakob (Irena), Annemarie, Erna (Enrique) and Paul Jr.

In his 85 adventurous years Martin earned the love, respect and admiration not only from immediate family but his many nieces, nephews and friends alike.  He will be missed greatly but never forgotten. 

Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. at Cavill Funeral Home located at 215 Bay Street in Gravenhurst, Ontario.The Celebration of Life service for Martin Kupferschmidt will follow at noon. Following the service, there will be a lunch served to honour Martin's remarkable life and share cherished memories at 375 Loudon Point Road. Memorial donations may be made to Brain Injury Canada, Canadian Diabetes Association, South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, or the Muskoka Steamship and Discovery Centre.

Please click the link below to make a donation:

Brain Injury Canada: https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/donate/

Canadian Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.ca/contact-us/contact-us

South Muskoka Memorial Hospital: https://www.mahc.ca/en/index.aspx

Muskoka Steamship and Discovery Centre: https://realmuskoka.com/donations/

TO ORDER FLOWERS FOR MARTIN'S SERVICE, PLEASE CALL THE LOCAL FLORIST, BLOOMING MUSKOKA AT (705) 687-6622