July 14, 1923 ~ April 15, 2024
Reinier(Rene) Wilmelhus Brunott, aged 100 years, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2024 at Caressant Care Fergus. Rene was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands and became a mechanical technician and professional ice skater and luckily avoided being sent to Germany during WW11. He joined an ice skating show and toured the World. In 1954 he married Anna Catarina(Van der Weijden) (deceased 1991) and emigrated to Canada. They built their own home in Thornhill and raised three boys. Rene combined his machining and skating expertise to start a very successful figure skate sharpening business "Edges of Champions Ltd." He sharpened skates for all levels from beginners to world champions. Rene was a passionate windsurfer and did so up to his 85th birthday. He was also an avid tennis player and built a tennis court in his backyard so that he could take on anyone willing to lose. Rene remarried in 2010 to Anita Pickett and they enjoyed many cruises whilst wintering in Florida. Rene is survived by his three sons, William, Jacob(Zeljka), Edward(Janet), grandson Ryan, brother Nicolas and sister Annie Debije in Holland, stepchildren Christopher Pickett(Anita), Kimberley Pickett(Justin), Christina Plat(Tom), step granddaughters Shayla and Gemma Pickett and step grandsons Zoran & Goran Zoranovic. Many thanks to the nurses and PSWs at the home for their loving care. Visitation will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 23rd with Visitation starting at 11.30am, Mass and Burial at 1.30pm and Celebration of Rene's Life luncheon afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.