Waldemar “Wally” Brehm, 80, of Southbury died unexpectedly at home January 13. He was born in Freiburg, Germany, April 9, 1934.

He immigrated to New York in 1959, where he met his wife of 55 years, Reinhilde “Hilde.” They moved their family to Newtown in 1970, and Mr Brehm began his own construction business in 1972. 

His lifelong passion was soccer and, with his good friend Al Taubert, he started the Newtown Soccer Club. Over the years he was a soccer coach, player, and referee. Mr Brehm was also a founding member of the Newtown International Club, whose members were both his friends and his family.

His two brothers and their families in Germany; daughters Annette Groski, and husband Charlie, of New Milford, and Michelle Mullane, and husband Tom Belton, of South Carolina, and son Eric of Melbourne, Fla.; and seven grandchildren, Kristen, Alexander, and Joseph Groski and Kelly, Danny, Timmy, and Tommy Mullane, survive Mr Brehm.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, January 17, at 11 am, at First Congregational Church of Woodbury, 214 Main Street South, Woodbury.