May 8, 1939 to February 28, 2021 Ralph Brenneman, formerly of Wellesley, passed away peacefully at his residence in Nithview Community, New Hamburg on Sunday February 28, 2021 at the age of 81. Prior to moving to Nithview, Ralph was a very active member of Poole Mennonite Church serving as a song leader and on many church committees. Ralph was employed by J.M. Schneider Ltd. for over 35 years. Ralph loved music and he loved to make music as a singer and as a conductor. A self-taught musician, he was a dedicated former member of the Schneider Male Chorus for 36 years and was honoured by the choir in 2015 with the “Jim Rennie Award” for his passion and outstanding commitment and service to the choir. He was also a former vice-president of Mennonite Benefit Association. A Saturday morning hobby of making pork sausage for family and friends turned into an enjoyable small business which ultimately yielded 15,000 lbs. per year with Ralph personally delivering the orders to various locations across Ontario. In his retirement, Ralph enjoyed golfing and playing crokinole. He loved spending time with his family and never tired of relaying the latest stories, accomplishments and antics of his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ralph leaves to mourn his family and his many friends. He was the beloved husband of Mildred (Jutzi) Brenneman whom he married in 1960. Together, they raised four strong and independent children whom they encouraged to dream big and follow their passions. Ralph was the loving and supportive father of Sandy (Rob) Skirving of North Carolina, Fred (Illana Perlman) of Toronto, Keith (Angela) of Winnipeg, Janet (John Balsillie) of Winnipeg. Ralph was a special Grandpa of Cate (Allen) Buckner, Matt (Leslie) Skirving, Joshua (Tricia) Brenneman, Jason Brenneman (Jacki Kicksee), Jake Brenneman, Tristan Brenneman (Nicole Harrison), Morgan and Bronte Brenneman, Lydia and Naomi Balsillie and Great-Grandpa of Logan and Miriam Buckner. He was the dear brother of Floris (Wayne) Leis, John (Ruth) Brenneman, and Linda Brenneman-Snider. He is fondly remembered by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Roy Jutzi, Jake (Grace) Jutzi, Sarah Maloney, Laura Rathbone, Mary Roth, Margaret Jutzi, Martha (Don) Ropp and many nieces and nephews and their families. Ralph was predeceased by his parents William and Mildred (Brunk) Brenneman, brothers and sisters-in-law Don Snider, Amos (Edith) Jutzi, George (Grace) Jutzi, Keith Maloney, Alf Rathbone, Arthur Roth, Clara Jutzi and his foster sister Brenda LeSouder.
Interment in Poole Mennonite Cemetery.