Martin Brunnschweiler, 76, of Sheffield died Tuesday June 30, 2015 at Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehab Center in Great Barrington.
He was born in St. Gallen, Switzerland, on February 28, 1939, son of Walter and Bodil (Schannong) Brunnschweiler. Marty B., as he was known by friends, attended schools in Switzerland and received a degree in Agriculture. Marty moved from Switzerland to California where he lived for five years beginning his career as a farmer with stops in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Falls Village, Conn.
In 1973, Marty moved to Sheffield. He owned and operated Riverlee Farm in Sheffield with his wife, also working as an independent truck driver. Marty enjoyed his horses and farming since childhood.
Marty is survived by his wife Rosa (Hatzl) Brunnschweiler whom he married on May 12, 1970, four daughters, Beatrice Thompson and husband Christopher of Bantam, Conn., Carol Brunnschweiler-Manoli and husband Marc of Lenox, Mass., Christine Brunnschweiler and partner William Bruno of Attleboro, Mass., and Monica Brunnschweiler of San Diego ,Calif.; one son, Benjamin Brunnschweiler of Las Vegas, N.V., one brother, Christian and Erika Brunnschweiler, of Honolulu, Hawaii, two sister-in-laws, Vreni and Dorothy, one niece, Carol, and four grandchildren, Grace, Elsa, Amelia and Adelina. Marty was predeceased by two brothers, Werner and Peter.
A celebration of Marty’s life will be held Sunday July 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Crissey Farms, 426 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington Mass. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy in Marty’s memory may be made to Southern Berkshires Volunteer Ambulance Squad in care of the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington MA 01230. Expressions of sympathy may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
