Tribute

At the age of 95 years Martin Rossander quietly passed away. He had said “goodbye” to friends on the Sunday before his passing and said he was at peace with “moving on.”

Martin was born in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan on June 23, 1917 to a family of pioneers who immigrated from Denmark to Canada in 1911. He was predeceased by his parents, Pedar and Karen Marie, and his six older siblings. Martin’s only child, Stanley Clark Rossander, was killed in a boating accident on April 1, 1956.

In 1931, at the age of 14, Martin left home and weathered the Great Depression working as a teamster and a cowboy in Alberta. He grew to be an exceptionally independent and self-sufficient person; compassionate, generous and extremely resourceful.

Martin arrived in Powell River in 1948 and worked for the Powell River Company for a couple of years until he chose to strike out on his own. He bought property on Fernwood Avenue and built two cabins from both the “waste” and natural products he found in the bush and on the ocean’s shore. The cabins have since been developed into houses and are still on Fernwood along with most of his beloved trees that were there when Martin originally bought the property.

Early in his life, his love of animals persuaded him to become a vegetarian and he followed that philosophy for the rest of his life.

Over the years, Martin was an ardent peace activist, being one of the only two men who were members of “Voice of Women.” He understood the need for care and conservation of the ecosystems he lived within and was one of the founders of the Eco-Care Conservancy of the Powell River Region.

Martin was an inspiration to many people who live(d) in Powell River. He led by example and was truly congruent in the way he lived his life.

The Enjoyment Band and the potluck impromptu music gatherings at the Log Cabin were an important and joyful part of Martin’s community life for many years. Martin played violin, and he always encouraged folks to play music together; playing together was more important than the level of competence. Most Saturday nights, that little cabin was packed to the rafters with people.

When there wasn’t music being played, there was theatre. Martin was an early supporter of Theatre Now! and he contributed much to its operation and development, not to mention some great parts he played in several productions, including improv, straight and dinner theatre.

Martin will be remembered as a man who was both steadfast in his beliefs and always interested in gaining new knowledge, too. Right up to the day he died he was curious about life and beyond.

His many friends and acquaintances will miss his wisdom and his lively, intelligent conversation and creative ideas.

A celebration of Martin’s life is being planned and the date, time and place will be announced in the near future.