Mitchell Alexander Martyna Sr.

March  13th, 1932 January  20th, 2025
120- 2901 Abbott Street, Kelowna B.C. Canada
Mitchell Alexander Martyna Sr.

Death ends a life.
Not a Relationship.

- Mitch Albom

Obituary

Obituaries don’t usually focus on faults, but in Mitch’s case, it’s important to mention one of his: he was far too modest. He would have hated what you’re about to read. But since he’s no longer in a position to stop us, it’s now our prerogative to unapologetically list the reasons why we are utterly bereft without him.

At nearly 93, the arc of his life was long and full, but it ended far too abruptly. Although Mitch had been quietly and stubbornly battling cancer for years, it was a fall and subsequent brain haemorrhage that ended his life at Kelowna Hospice on January 20, 2025.

We were all hoping for a little more time. But Mitch always moved at his own pace, and it seems this was the way he preferred to bow out. The family takes great solace in the doctors’ reassurances that his passing was nearly painless. For a man who was always so agile in body, mind and spirit, we know that going out strong, rather than withering away, is exactly what he would have wanted.

Born in 1932 to immigrant parents from Poland in the hamlet of Edgerton, Alberta, Mitch entered the world in a simple log home without electricity, phone or plumbing—proof that humble beginnings and hard work can indeed lead to great heights. By the end of his life he and his wife Justine called Canada, Panama, Mexico and a motorhome in Europe, home. They welcomed everyone (friends, family, exchange students and home swappers) into each of these places with open arms and a lot of great stories. If you had something that just wasn’t working, Mitch was always at the ready with his toolbox and a lump of paraffin wax; he insisted this would make just about anything run a little smoother. It almost always did.

He was trilingual from a very young age. His first language was Polish, which he learned from his parents; his second was English, which he learned in a one-room schoolhouse (where lunch was always a jacket potato burnt black on an open fire); and his third was French, which he picked up making mischief with the local French Canadian community (hooking his bike to car bumpers, lighting grass fires, and sinking his horse and cart in the muskeg). His aptitude for languages and making friends gave him a great ear for people’s lives in general.  

Mitch left high school at age 16 to try farming with his aunt and uncle. Winters were slow, so he worked part-time digging ditches in the oil patch. By the time he retired in 1988, he had risen to the role of Drilling Superintendent, despite lacking a formal engineering degree. This was a testament to his grit, intelligence and unassuming leadership. He was deeply admired by his colleagues, several of whom remained lifelong friends. It was always clear, to anyone who knew him well, that Mitch was a doer; sitting still at a school-desk for too long would never have suited him. But what he lacked in education he more than made up for with the wisdom one gains from traveling the world, listening to people, and having an open mind. 

He met Justine Martyna (née Morin) playing badminton at the Catholic Youth Club in St. Albert. They married in 1960 and had four children together—Mitch Jr., Chuck, Roger, and Renée. The family was raised on a 320-acre farm near Shepard, Alberta, now the Ralph Klein Memorial Park and Environmental Educational Centre. This is a fitting legacy for Mitch, who loved landscapes most of all. His favourite pastime, right to the end (besides watching the “Trump Show”, of course) was listening to the birds and watching the wind blow through the trees.  

Yet for all his more worldly accomplishments, it’s the little things we will remember most: the way he wore his ball caps so lightly, and slightly askew on his head; how he reused tea bags until they begged for retirement; how he still raved about his beloved 1956 pink Dodge; his disdain for sand between his toes or wind on his bare legs; his meticulous tracking of gas prices on all his international travels; his belief that Vaseline is a cure-all; and how, even in his 80s, he still loved to dance at weddings and ride a bike on vacation. It’s worth noting that he may well have been one of the best huggers the world has ever known. It’s hard to know for sure, but his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren would surely say so.

He was a gifted storyteller; a go-to at bedtimes, campfires, weddings, and funerals. The saga of the balled-up sock, stuck in his pant leg (that he swore was a hamster headed north in a hurry) left us in stitches every time. Making Justine laugh may have been his greatest mission in life, because this wasn’t always easy to do, and so, there was nothing more satisfying to him. (And doesn’t every guy love a gal who is a challenge?). He could always lance an awkward silence with a perfectly timed— and quietly executed— jest. And so he taught us all the invaluable skill of laughing at life—and at ourselves.

His legendary “make-up kit” was full of life’s essentials: not just the requisite toiletries, but a voltage meter, a potato peeler, a Phillips screwdriver, some electrical tape, a fine-tooth comb, a plastic toothpick and obviously, a lump of paraffin wax. While his long johns wouldn’t fit in the bag, rest assured he always had a pair on hand, even in the tropics. These little secrets to his MacGyver-like sense of service to the world were cremated with him on January 24, 2025 at Springfield Funeral home in Kelowna, B.C. That’s how we know he’s well-prepared for his onward journey. He never needed much, which is, perhaps, why he was so generous with all who knew him. 

Mitch left the world much larger for having been in it—warmer, funnier, and smoother (and not just because of the paraffin wax). His absence leaves an ache, but his memory leaves us giggling.

And so, you understand, he is already deeply missed.

For reasons of his aforementioned modesty, Mitch did not want a funeral. However, the family would like to honour him in the way he would have loved best: with friends, family and stories, on the farm. We plan to celebrate his life this summer at Ralph Klein Park in Calgary, on the site of our former family farm, in a landscape he once worked very hard to nurture and grow, amid the birds and the trees.  We believe he would have liked that. After all, this was the site where many family reunions were hosted in the early days; a tradition that still remains strong amongst our 65+ extended and growing family of aunts, uncles and cousins. (Mainly thanks to the effort that Mitch and his siblings have put in to gathering us, and keeping us, all together).

Mitch was roundly adored by his brothers and sisters, for whom his absence will be indelible. It’s up to them and the next generation of Martynas, now, to uphold this legacy of connection.     

If you knew and cared for Mitch, we hope you will join us on the old farm, a.k.a.: Ralf Klein Park. It will be a brunch, so if you need to travel a fair distance, we hope you will have time to get back and forth in a day. But if you feel too far or frail to attend in person, a simultaneous, online version of our gathering will be made available for you to take part in. 

Please see the details below for updates on the event. We invite you to share your own photos, videos, and memories of Mitch on this tribute page, as well as condolences for the family. You can also learn more about the charity to which we encourage donations in lieu of food or flowers.

The extended Martyna family remains deeply grateful for your love and support in our time of grief.

Donations

In liew of offering food or flowers, we invite you to contribute to a cause that is important to our family; the BRAIN CANADA FOUNDATION. www.braincanada.ca

Timeline

1932
March 13th
Mitchell Alexander Martyna is Born
Born in a log cabin in Edgerton Alberta to Polish immigrant parents.
Edgerton, AB
1938
Mitchell Starts School
Mitchell started school in Chauvin, a french canadian town bordering Alberta and Saskatchewan. Later he moved to Colinton for junior-high and highschool.
Chauvin
1949
Mitchell Leaves School
Mitchell left school in the middle of eleventh grade to become a farmer. He spent the winter digging sumps in the oil patch part-time, not realising that this would be the beggining of a fourty-year career in the oil business.
Athabasca, Alberta
1958
Mitch (age 26) meets Justine (age 19)
Mitchell met Justine playing badminton.
St. Albert
1959
Building Their Family Home
Mitchell and Justine begin building their first house-- with their own hands-- in the 2 years before they were married.
St. Albert
1960
Mitchell and Justine Get Married
 in the St. Albert Catholic Church.
St. Albert Caltholic Church
1962
Birth of Mitchell Junior (Bunker)
Edmonton
1964
Moved to Calgary Alberta
Moved to a duplex in N.W. Calgary
Calgary
1965
Birth of Charles (Chuck) 
Calgary
1967
Birth of Roger
Calgary
1973
Purchased a Family Farm
Purchased 320 acres of flat land with a view of the mountains near Shepherd Alberta. Farmed wheat, Barley and oats. Also raised cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens. 
Shepard, AB
1975
Birth of Renée
Calgary
1983
Acquired the Space Centre
Acquired the Space Centre with Henry and Kazia Grenier.
Kelowna, B.C.
1984
Home Oil
Transfered from Scurry Rainbow
1984
Mitch jr. (Bunk) marries Kathy Scurfield
They go on to have 5 boys together, moving from Calgary to Kelowna to help run the Space Centre in 1991, acquiring it in 1996. 
Banff, Alberta
1985
Birth of First Grandchild
Mitchell Scurfield Martyna, son of Mitch (Bunk) and Kathy is born.
Calgary, Alberta
1986
Charles (Chuck) marries Kathy Brost
They go on to have two daughters and raise their family near the old farm at Shepard. They spend their winters in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico. 
Calgary, AB
1990
Expropriation of the Farm
The city began expropriation of the farm in Shepherd, commencing a long litigation process for the family.
Shepard
1991
Justine and Mitch move to Black Mountain in Kelowna B.C.
Kelowna, B.C.
1992
Mitchell is Diagnosed with Early stage Myelodysplasia
At the time the Doctors surmise he might have ten years before symptoms worsen. He went on to live another 20 before they became severe. 
Kelowna. B.C
1993
Roger moved to the USA to begin work as an Aerospace Engineer 
He met his partner Kathleen in 2012, and they now live together in Seattle.
Alabama, USA
1996
The Space Centre is sold to Kathy and Mitch Jr
Today it is managed by the third generation of Martyna sons, Cameron and Brett. 
Kelowna B.C.
2001
Renée marries Steve Munroe
They went on to have ‘nomadic’ lives, raising two boys in 10 countries together. They now live in England.
2003
Expropriation completed
The farm is officially expropriated by the City of Calgary, ending a 13 year litigation process.
Shepard, AB
2007
First Great Grandchild is born 
Seven great grandchildren are now part of the family. 
2010
Mitch and Justine build their Casita in Boquete, Panama
and enjoyed twelve years of perfect temperatures and great company. 
Boquete, Panama
2021
Mitch and Justine join their Children in Cabo
...and become snowbirds for 6 months of the year, where life is a little warmer during the winter months. 
San José Del Cabo, Mexico
2023
Predeceased by first grandchild, Mitchell Scurfield Martyna
Kelowna, B.C. 
2025
January 20th
Mitch's sudden passing, at the age of nearly 93
Mitch dies peacefully in hospice after his Polish-irish living wake, surrounded by family.  
Kelowna, BC

Gallery

Videos

Memory wall

Post your condolences or share your Memories.


January 30, 2025
My most sincere condolences to Auntie Justine and the entire Martyna family in the loss of Uncle Mitch. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lucie Hunt
January 30, 2025
Our sympathies Renee. Beautifully written. Some similarities to my Dad's story who died Dec 15, 2024 ... like leaving school at 16.
Sylvia D Musoke

Family tree

Mary Dzieglo (Mama)
Michal Martyna (Tato)
Justine Martyna
Ron Martyna
Ed Martyna
Renée Martyna
Lochlan Munroe
Seth Munroe
Chuck Martyna
Stepanie Martyna
Kaitlynn Martyna
Mitchell Martyna Jr
Mitchell Martyna III
Scotty Martyna
Cameron Martyna
Ian Martyna
Brett Martyna
Roger Martyna
Lily Oddliefson
Kazia Grenier
Ron Martyna
Ed Martyna
Lily Oddliefson
Kazia Grenier
Justine Martyna
Renée Martyna
Lochlan Munroe
Seth Munroe
Chuck Martyna
Stepanie Martyna
Kaitlynn Martyna
Mitchell Martyna Jr
Mitchell Martyna III
Scotty Martyna
Cameron Martyna
Ian Martyna
Brett Martyna
Roger Martyna
Mitchell Martyna Sr.

Service


We will be hosting a celebration of life for Mitch at Ralph Klein Park in Calgary, Alberta. This will be an afternoon of storytelling, food and drinks. It will be live-streamed online for those who feel they are too frail or far to attend in person.

This will not be a sad or somber event, but rather, a chance for us to be together in a place— our former family farm— where Mitch entertained all of us over the years, and where we all have many great memories to relive, and share. We ask that you join us in that spirit.    
Location
Ralph Klein Park & Environmental Education Centre
12350 84 St SE, Calgary, AB T3S 0A4
Date/time
Saturday the 30th of August, 2025
Virtual event
TBC
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