HERTEL, Bruce Wayne Hertel

Peacefully, at his home in New Hamburg, on Thursday December 11th 2025, just as he wanted it to be.
Cherished, devoted and father figure and uncle to Christine (Baan) Snider and her husband Richard, and Jeremy Baan. Forever cherished by his 3 great nephews and niece, Matthew Snider (Sarah), Kirstie Baltus (Josh), and Daniel Snider. Dearest life long and beloved best friend of Jackie Snyder. Brother to Dianne (Hertel) Baan.

In Bruce’s early years his family lived in Preston and then moved to Haysville where spent special times with family and friends. It was there that he learned to fish and hunt and ride his pony. He later moved to Baden and then settled in New Hamburg. Bruce was a businessman, and investor and a very hard worker. He was the co-founder and investor of Mercedes Developments where he joined the Shantz’s in building up the village St Jacobs, the St Jacobs Market and many hotels for tourism in that area. He was also an integral part of the beginnings of Hybrid turkeys, where he started working at 18. He held many roles there, including investing in the company, making feed at the mill in Elmira, delivering feed, delivering truckloads of eggs to the airport to be transported all over the world. He was also a cattleman, caring for farmers beef cows, all the while with his niece perched high up high on her shoulders to keep her safe. He was an experienced and knowledgeable investor and shared freely his financial advice to anyone who would listen. It was a hobby that he enjoyed right up until he passed away this week. He also spent many years attending harness racing where he was able to gain access to the barns and enjoyed spending time talking to the jockeys because he knew them from the horse barns that used to stand at the New Hamburg Fair grounds.

He found true joy and fulfillment in teaching his niece Christine to drive his boat, water ski, hunt, fish, plant gardens, care for beef cows, how to fix things, how to forage for morals and puff balls in the bush when she was a child. One of the most uniquely Bruce skills he taught her was that the best dandelions for eating can be found on top of a turkey manure pile. So, each day when they went to each turkey farm to deliver feed, that was their special search together. He was a gentle man who also taught her how to care for animals. Rescuing a nest of baby squirrels and rabbits that were left orphans at the feed mill in Elmira and raising them up and returning them to their home after they were strong enough to survive on their own. He also taught her the value in hunting and wildlife management, spending every Saturday tracking coyotes, fox, rabbit, deer and pheasants together. Once Matthew, Kirstie and Daniel were old enough, Bruce found joy in passing on those same important life skills on to them. In recent years, he also beamed with pride when his two great, great nephews Elijah and Silas were born.
Bruce was always telling jokes while sharing a meal with family. His stories of years gone by were endless and will be a cherished reminder of him.

Predeceased by his parents Luella (Dopp) and Lester Hertel. His aunts and uncles Shirley (Hertel) and Walter Love, Hilda (Hertel) and Herb Thomas, Gladys (Hertel) and Oliver Raddatz, Milton Dopp and Mabel (Dopp) and Herb Fedy. Also remembered by many cousins of the Dopp, Hertel, Fedy and Raddatz families.

Family and friends may call at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home on Monday December 15th 2025 from 1 to 3pm. A private family interment at Riverside Cemetery to follow. Donations can be made to the CNIB. This charity was dear to his heart because his mother lost her sight at a young age as well as Stratford General Hospital where he received exceptional care a few years ago.

Personal condolences can be placed on the funeral home website, and donation information can be found also at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca

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