April 25, 1924 - September 16, 2008
Beneath these low slung rafters
Dwell the ghosts of the ones we love
Now all of their joy and laughter
Is heard in the skies up above
So stand to your glasses steady
This world is a world full of lies
We’ll drink to the dead already
And here’s to the next man who dies
(Olde English drinking song)
Ben was born in Vancouver BC in 1924. Raised on farms, he served in the Navy, and later became a correctional social worker. For many years he did radio and film scripts for the CBC, mainly on social themes. The Manipulators Series. Skidrow: Italia Award. The Dirty Thrities: Wilderness Award. Ben and his partner Blanche spent from age 60 to 80 as low budget world travellers.
On the early morning of September 16th, 2008 Bernard Karl Thomas Maartman, the last living child of the late Ben and Hilda Maartman, passed away peacefully at home, in the arms of his wife and surrounded by his family.
You are missed by your children, Robert (Barbara), Gordon (Gale), Jack, Zeni, Ben (Jan), Maya (Bill), Einar (Juan); and missed by your grandchildren Lexi and Will, Adele and Michael, Zack, Jaime, Adam, and Misty, Demitri and Zenaida, William and Karl; and missed by your great grandchildren, Karma, Nikita, Skylar, Marika, and last but not least, Awesome Dawson.
Until we meet again darling, your loving wife, Blanche
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