Paul Martin Louis Bruer

BRUER, Paul Martin Louis, B.A., University of Western Ontario, M.A., University of Illinois. – Passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Peterborough, on Thursday, December 24, 2020. Paul, formerly of Owen Sound, Wiarton, Toronto, and London, was 97 years of age.

Beloved husband of Shirley (nee Demerling) for 72 years. Dear father of Elizabeth Howes (Peter), Elaine Bruer (Dennis Howlett), Martin Bruer (Margie), David Bruer (Nora Benamra), Peter Bruer (Sigrid Blohm), James Bruer (Elizabeth Eakins), and the late Barbara. Loving grandfather of Anna, Andrew & Caroline Howes, David Howlett, Victoria Bruer, Mériel & Cynthia Bruer, Gray and Mary Bruer. Proud great grandfather of Roland, Katherine, Arthur, Henry, and Felix. Beloved brother of the late Kathryn Kopf, Marjorie Vadvilavich, and Peter Bruer. Paul was loved and will be remembered by many other relatives and friends.

Paul began his career as an urban planner with the Government of Alberta, and later worked as the planning director for the Township of London, Ontario. He continued his career as a professor in the School of Urban Urban and Regional Planning at Ryerson University. His approach to urban planning incorporated a strong interest in community development and the human components involved in designing cities.

He was involved with the Lutheran Church all his life, sitting on church councils, notably Trinity London, Good Shepherd North York, St. Peter’s Wiarton. He sat on many committees at synodical and national levels, including Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Ecumenical Coalition on Economic Justice.

Paul once said that his interest in social justice arose when he was a young man from first-hand observations of injustice in Canada, such as the oppression of Japanese Canadian fishers during WWII and the violence by the RCMP towards union leaders and teachers during the Depression. These impressions developed into a lifelong commitment to contributing to social justice through his profession and his volunteer work. Together with Shirley, he was involved in the work of various ecumenical social justice coalitions. He was an active supporter of the anti-apartheid movement and sat on the board of directors of the Inter-Church Coalition on Africa (ICCAF) for twelve years.

He was well-read and had a wide world view, and he encouraged his family to have broad horizons as well. He enjoyed travel and shared that pleasure with his family, in the early days through camping trips, and later with numerous family trips to Europe, taken with Shirley and his children. Through his volunteer work, he travelled to Madagasgar and served as a United Nations election monitor on two occasions, in Namibia and South Africa.

Paul and Shirley retired to a farm property in the Bruce Peninsula near Wiarton. In his years on the farm, he loved to read, discuss theology, tend the cherry trees, make cherry wine (of dubious quality but always good for a toast), and most of all, host his large family for barbecues, bonfires, hikes, and long conversations.

We will remember his sense of humour and his quiet thoughtfulness. He was not one to impose his opinions but would stand up for his strong views on fairness.

A private celebration of his life will be arranged later in 2021. If you wish to make an expression of sympathy, donations would be appreciated to The Stephen Lewis Foundation, to Canadian Lutheran World Relief, or to a charity of your choice.