Click here to view Words of Remembrance

Adrian Martynkiw

1985 - 2024

Born April 24, 1985 in Grand Prairie, Alberta, Adrian Roman Martynkiw died in a car collision on March 21, 2024 in Wentworth, Nova Scotia. He was predeceased by his father, Wolodymyr Martynkiw and his mother Odarka Smal-Martynkiw. He is survived by his sisters Vera Martynkiw (Yvan Lavoie), Quebec and Zenia Martynkiw (Danylo Kolos) and nephews Mykyta and Zachary Kolos of Alberta. Adrian left behind his partner, Margaret Graves, his two cats Lucy and Sufi, and more friends, companions, and trees than any of us have been able to count.

Adrian saw life as an education. He cherished those around him as unique individuals and cultivated the best in them. He held community, friendship, creativity, and hard work as a response to a world troubled by pain and difficulty. With little patience for anything superficial, Adrian worked at building deep connections and meaningful experiences. His strong will was matched by his affection for his partner, his friends and family, his house, and his cats.

Adrian worked as a carpenter and a forester. He loved to pull his friends into ambitious and imaginative natural building projects, as well as learning and collaborating with his colleagues. He shared his knowledge of the woods and trees both professionally as a forest technician, and on a personal level with his friends and community.

Adrian valued playfulness, spontaneity, and deep listening. He was a longtime cyclist, invested hours in designing and creating labyrinths, and loved writing and singing songs. He was often found either in his sauna or dipping into freezing winter water. He was an active member of the Odd Fellows Liberty Lodge #120 in Tatamagouche, NS, a big brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester County, and the initiator of numerous community programs and activities.

Adrian created and organized Shelterwood, an annual gathering on his woodlot that brought light to the darkest time of the year. The event brought his community together to walk a labyrinth, eat borscht, and celebrate the burning of a fire spectacle while reflecting on our love for one another and our gratitude for the year ahead. He will always be remembered for asking if the fire spectacle needed more fireworks, which it rarely did.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, March 30 at The Grace Arts Centre at 31 Creamery Rd, Tatamagouche from 1:00 to 4:00pm, with Words of Remembrance at 2:00pm. Donations can be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester County. His life can also be celebrated by going outdoors and being reminded, despite the challenges, of how beautiful our world is.