Martin died peacefully on March 20, 2022 at the age of 67. Beloved husband of Graziella (Grace) Berzghal, he is survived by his children Benjamin (Nihan) and Jonathan.
His grandchildren: Angelica and Oliver, his siblings: Anna, Lynn, David, Christine, Peter, and Alyson, nephews and nieces: Robert, Laura, Paul, Samantha, Joanne, and others, Grace’s side of the family: Berzghal, Sallit, Antypas, Siniora, Le Troadec, and their children, and close friends: Terry and Brigida, Keith, Andrew, Beatrice, Diane and Alan, Kee Jang, Wong and Clarissa, his squash friends from Montreal and Kuala Lumpur, and his AAPA colleagues and friends.
Born in England, while his dream was to join the navy as a helicopter pilot, he ended up being an engineer in aviation. He started his career at the age of 16 with an apprenticeship with British European Airways. Martin’s aviation career spanned several decades, and he remained passionate about the industry throughout his life. He held a variety of senior managerial and engineering positions with a number of airlines including British Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines and British Caledonia Airways, as well as the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), Airbus and IATA, based in countries as diverse as, the UK, Saudi Arabia, France, Canada and Malaysia. Prior to retirement, Martin was the Technical Director at AAPA, in charge of technical and operational industry issues in the areas of safety, security, environment and operations. He played a key role in ensuring that the views of Asian airlines were heard in global debates on various technical issues. His technical expertise was much sought-after in the industry.
Indeed, Martin was in the right industry, as he loved travelling and discovering different cultures of the places he visited.
He was a humble and down-to-earth man who had a great career and lived a full life, and was well-known and respected amongst friends and colleagues.
The people who met Martin for the first time often noticed his beer belly, and would believe he led a sedentary life. On the contrary, Martin was a very active man. He played squash frequently with friends, who loved both his winning and losing reactions, and everything would end up with good beer. Martin was an avid scuba diver, often going on several dive trips in a year. For a long time, his red bandana and bright orange swim trunks were a mainstay of any scuba diving trip, and ensured his visibility under water amongst fellow divers (and sea creatures). He dived in many places around the world, with whale sharks, bull sharks, ocean mantas, but his favorite dive location was Tulamben, in Bali, Indonesia.
He loved hiking, camping and skiing. He was a good skier, and would ski black diamonds and even did moguls. He also enjoyed skiing in the jumping parks and did little jumps. He would jump like the best of them, but the landing was another story, sometimes on the skis and sometimes on the back.
Some quotes from friends and colleagues:
Terry and Brigida: “Martin had an amazing sense of humour, very witty and full of wisdom. A world traveller, he captivated everyone with his storytelling.”
Kim: “Martin is and will be remembered as brilliant, kind, humorous, helpful, loyal and challenging, although perhaps not always tactful. But throughout as a friend”
Beatrice: “He will be remembered amongst his peers for his dedication to the cause, his feisty spirit, his ability to hold his own even in the face of great opposition, and willingness to share a few beers with almost anyone. And last but not least, he will be remembered for his great sense of humour, known and appreciated by the many who had worked closely with him.”
Andrew: “We will always remember Martin for his commitment, ability to meet challenges, cheerful demeanor and legacy of sharing his knowledge and experience with others. He will be sorely missed”
Subhas: “Martin is extremely well-respected and regarded by all at AAPA and the wider airline community. Just the other day the airlines were telling me that it has not been the same for them since Martin retired. More importantly those who worked closely with him loved his personality and his tireless efforts to keep AAPA on the map.”
Christine, his sister: “Martin as a brother, was always protective, he was fun, and loved playing cards and games while winding everyone up, and always was good in getting out of the washing up.”
Ella: “regardless of all what he was going through, he aided me in my studies and allowed me to be an A student even though he would be tired during his last few days, he never said no.”
He will very much be missed and forever remain in our hearts.
A gathering will take place at Voluntas Funeral Home, 4695 St-Jean, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, H9H 2A7. Visitation on Sunday, March 27th from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. (EDT) A service will be held at 2:30 p.m. (EDT).
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Peter Dougherty
March 23, 2022 at 9:24 pmA golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest,
God took him from us to prove to us
That he only takes the best.
You will be long remembered Martin. Rest in peace.
CV Thian
March 24, 2022 at 6:22 amI’m so sorry to hear of this. Martin has been a great mentor and friend. He will be missed dearly.
Capt Alex de Silva
March 24, 2022 at 7:13 amSo sad. Always a gentleman. I knew Martin from the first day he joined AAPA. I will surely miss his wry humour and honesty.
Captain Ling Liong Tien
March 24, 2022 at 7:23 amNo words can describe the sadness for losing a great person like Martin. May hai great soul rest in peace
Vinoop
March 24, 2022 at 9:09 pmGone too soon Martin. Many memories over the years….in different and some unspeakable corners of the world. Rest in Peace.
Adrian Abraham
March 24, 2022 at 10:05 pmMartin was a great friend and did so much for our industry here in Asia Pacific, we are all the safer and better thanks to Martin. He was always generous with his time and knowledge and I will remember the many good times we shared. Rest well Brother.
Richard Tan
March 24, 2022 at 11:57 pmWas a colleague of Martin at the AAPA for a short time back in 2004 but have had many opportunities to work with him over the years on issues affecting the airlines in the region. A man truly passionate about the aviation industry and he has indeed left a positive mark. Rest in peace Martin.
Kareen Khoo
March 25, 2022 at 5:17 amMy deepest condolences. Will always remember Martin. Very much value the times I spent working with him. Rest in peace, Martin.
Safure_Tevfik Tümer
March 25, 2022 at 6:52 amSevgili Martin değerli dünürüm,çok erken sizi kaybettik.Torunlarının ve çocuklarının seninle yaşa acak anı biriktirecek zamanları olmadı.Bizim için çok değerliydin.Oğlun ve gelininle düğünlerine katılarak onur verdin.Nurlarda yat.Cennette uyu.Tevfik Safure Tümer
Rayna
March 25, 2022 at 7:52 amDeeply saddened that Martin is no longer with us. I’ve worked with Martin for many years, a wonderful colleague and friend. He will be missed dearly. Rest in peace, Martin.
ROMMY ULLOA
March 25, 2022 at 4:00 pmHe had such a mesmerizing smile. It was so contagious to want to be around him. He brought happiness and laughter everywhere he was.
Danny Yeap
March 25, 2022 at 8:06 pmReminiscing the wonderful experiences we had on the many dive trips together and the laughters Martin brought to everyone with his great sense of humor and not forgetting his fatherly care and protection that he so naturally had for us. A kind soul that has gone back to the Lord and shall be dearly missed. Rest In Peace Martin
NC Wong
March 26, 2022 at 2:09 amMartin has been a great friend and squash buddy. We will always remember all the good time that we shared. Rest in peace, Martin.
Denise & Andrea Antypas
March 26, 2022 at 12:00 pmA toi Grâce et sa famille
Nos con
A toi Grace et sa famille
Nos sincères condoléances à vous tous et que son âme repose en paix
Denise & Andrea Antypas
March 26, 2022 at 12:01 pmA toi Grâce et sa famille
Nos con
A toi Grace et sa famille
Nos sincères condoléances à vous tous et que son âme repose en paix
Ella and Mazen Siniora
March 27, 2022 at 10:10 amGod bless his soul, he was a man with high-spirit!From Ella and Mazen
Michael Comber
March 27, 2022 at 12:52 pmMartin was a joy to work with, one of these colleagues that made us look forward to the workday. Many lunches together with infinite stories which he would never run out of, always told with a hint of sarcasm. Also a solid engineer from whom I learned a lot. He will be greatly missed.
REINE SELWAN
March 27, 2022 at 1:47 pmOur Sincere Condolences to Grace and Family.May his soul rest in peace.Reine and Nadim Selwan
Georges Berzghal
March 27, 2022 at 2:18 pmIn time of need you know who is good hearted person, Martin was one these few.
May his soul rests in eternal peace
Anita de Villiers
March 27, 2022 at 2:31 pmSending our love to Grace, Benjamin, Jonathan & family, this news is so sad. Very fond memories of an Uncle whom definitely but the ‘S’ into my ‘mile’. Rest In Peace Uncle Martin, all our love Anita & family
Alan Davies
March 28, 2022 at 9:44 amI first met Martin when he attended my lecture course ‘Applied Mathematics’ at the Hatfield Polytechnic in 1981. We became firm friends the next year when we trained together as buddies at the Polytechnic Sub Aqua Club. This then led on to a marvellous friendship between our two families, meeting up in the UK, France, Turkey and Canada. Our four children were very fond of Martin, they always remember his good humour and love for life. He was a true and loyal friend to both of us, he and Diane were always trying to outdo each other and only Martin would have dared to throw a bucket full of iced water over her as she was sunbathing. That has been a talking point ever since. We lost touch for a few years but were very pleased to meet up again when he and Grace came to stay with us in Norfolk. The last time we met was on New Year’s Day 2019 when we had dinner together at his favourite Chinese restaurant in KL. Martin often comes to mind, especially when we meet up as a family and play ‘chase the ace’, a game that he played in the very best of spirits and that is how we shall always remember him.
Alan and Di
Benjamin Yew
March 29, 2022 at 10:08 pmMissed him ever since he was not at the squash court. Missed him even more when he left Malaysia for Canada. He is a great guy with a big smile to welcome his opponents on the court. He will be sorely missed and no words can describe how much.
Darryl Chan
April 3, 2022 at 1:35 amMartin, it has been a long time since we crossed paths in BCal. From your all your friends in the airlines across Asia and the AAPA, we will miss you and will have a have a pint, just for the road. Cheers my friend.
Matt Southam
July 22, 2022 at 5:28 pmShocked to read of Martin’s passing. This is late but heart felt. I met Martin at Airbus Industries way back in 1993, He was an absolute Gent and he and Safak welcomed me in to the community of expats. His experience and guidance are still appreciated… and every time I think I’ve been chatting to much think of home gentle telling me off. Top Bloke. Sorry we never got to meet up again. Perhaps some day in the future when we all fly helicopters !