Valentin "Val" Brucker

Passed away in Barrie, Ontario at the age of 93.

Survived and forever loved by his wife, Wilma (Evans) and his two children, Valorie Burawski (Tony) and Greg Brucker (Joanie Ryan). Papa is also survived by his five grandchildren who adored him and appreciated his ever present interest in their lives: Alex and Katarina Burawski, Kindersley Brucker (Adam Dixon), Meike and Kai Brucker. He also had the great pleasure of becoming a great-grandfather earlier this year to the family’s newest addition, Marley Brucker Dixon.

Val is also survived by his sister, Ingrid El Gazzar (Abdo d.), his nephews Osama (Laurie) and Ayman (Hanan, son Nadem), his niece Lyla (Rafik), and their children. Val was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Eileen Scruton (Bob d.) and survived by his nephew, Rob (Anita), niece, Patricia (Barry), and their children and grandchildren. Additionally, Val is survived by his sister-in-law, Dorothy Glenn (Ken d.), his three nieces, Mary Ellen, Kathryn, and Laura, as well as their families.

Val was born in Bremerhaven, Germany on October 21, 1932 to Mathilde and Johann Brucker. The family emigrated to Canada in 1952, and set out to forge a new life in a strange country that became their beloved home. Val quickly obtained employment in the warehousing district of Toronto to help support his family living, at the time, in a cramped, one-bedroom apartment, as many new Canadians did. Val was then hired by the Canadian Pacific Railroad as a porter, which enabled him to travel extensively across Canada. He was inspired by his travel, by his connections with others, and by the sheer vastness and beauty of his newly adopted nation.

Wanting more of a challenge, he attended a summer school session at the Toronto Teachers College in 1954. He earned a teaching position in Ombabika (northern Ontario) in a one-room schoolhouse teaching all grades. He lived next to the schoolhouse in a rustic log cabin with no amenities whatsoever. That experience made an indelible imprint upon him and shaped his life forever.

He eventually returned to southern Ontario to take on a teaching role in East York. It was during the summer of 1957 that he met the love of his life, Wilma Evans, as they were directing a day camp in Glencairn. They were married in 1959 and lived and taught in Toronto before moving to Beeton, where Val became the first principal of the new Tecumseth North P.S. They moved to Barrie in 1962 and Val became the proud principal of the newly-built Maple Grove Public School. Several other principalships followed at Codrington PS, Allandale Heights PS, Cundles Heights PS, and Steele Street Public School. Val received his Bachelor of Arts from McMaster and his B.Ed and M.Ed from the University of Toronto. He was passionate about education and always put his students and teachers first to maximize their educational experience.

Val’s passion extended beyond education to public service in the community at large. Val served as Vice-chair on the Barrie Planning Board from 1968-1972. He was then elected and served two terms as the City of Barrie Ward 3 Councillor. Following that, he was elected to the Barrie Public Utilities Commissioner role for multiple terms with a total of 15 years served. He was later honoured for his service when the City of Barrie named a street after him. Val was also the City of Barrie Representative on the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority. He loved the outdoors, and his family and former students have many fond memories of hiking the Bruce Trail with him. Val always had a passion for history and was one of the founding members (President/Vice President) of the Barrie Historical Association. He sat on the executive of the Simcoe County Historical Association, and was a member of the Barrie Archeological Society. He also had a passion for antique cars and was a longtime member of the local Barrie Antique and Classic Car Club. In addition, he was one of the founding members of the Barrie Probus Club and was an involved member of the Barrie First Baptist Church. Physically active throughout his life, he was a member and regular swimmer at the Barrie YMCA until the facility closed.

Val was an ardent reader who loved music and travel. Val and Wilma travelled the world together to a myriad of destinations, creating experiences and memories that they both valued dearly. He loved to share their travels through the countless slides/photographs he took.

Val also loved his time cottaging in the Dorset area. For over 30 years, he shared his love of nature, swimming, hiking, boating and the wonderful sunsets at Trout Lake, Lake Kushog and Lake Kawagama with his family, friends, relatives and especially his grandchildren. Highlights included candy runs in the boat to the marina, roasting marshmallows around the fire, and determining who was the king of the crokinole board. Val and Wilma spent many memorable winters in Florida and found their place in the community as volunteers at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Val particularly loved his role as a guide in the park and shared his passion with countless groups of visitors.

One of the last words he spoke was when he looked into the eyes of his seven-month-old great granddaughter as she smiled at him. “Amazing”, he said, which is also how his loved ones would describe Val. He had a beautiful life and 93 years full of joy, positivity and love. Special thanks to the wonderful Sheila from Daisy Homecare.

Funeral Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, 55 Cedar Pointe Drive, Barrie (Parking and entrance on Hwy 400 side of building) on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. with visitation from 12:30 pm. Reception to follow. Private family interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Camp Kwasind children’s camp (firstbaptistchurch.ca. Click on Give and go to the dropdown menu to find Camp Kwasind) or to a charity of your choosing.