Family members of a kindly Kitchener, Ont. senior say their lives have been ruined after he was beaten to death while delivering Christmas cards to neighbours.
Police are now hunting for a suspect after Hunter Brown, 74, was fatally attacked in his next-door neighbour's driveway over the weekend.
"He was just a real gentleman," said the victim's son, Mike Brown. "If you think of an old-fashioned gentleman, that was my dad."
The victim's daughter, Sandra Brown, said the family was devastated and had strong words for her father's killer.
"It was uncalled for. He didn't deserve it and nothing will bring him back," she said. "You've really ruined our lives in many ways."
Brown and his wife had lived in their Kitchener home for 34 years, and he retired after a career with Bell Canada. The couple had two children and three grandchildren.
Relatives said Christmas was one of his favourite times of year, and he would often dress as Santa to surprise the children of family and friends.
"He was such a kind, caring, gentle man," said Mike Brown. "He didn't deserve to go that way."
Police were called to the scene on Saturday afternoon. They came upon a bleeding, badly beaten Brown, who later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
"It is a very tragic story; it was a vicious assault," Waterloo Regional Police spokesman Olaf Heinzel said Monday.
"It's very disturbing for our community."
Police couldn't say for certain if Brown was targeted or a victim of a random attack, but believe he was killed with an "edged weapon." Officials are still waiting for autopsy results.
There is an unidentified suspect, described as a white male of average build who was wearing a black, trenchcoat-like jacket and a black tuque with red lines.
Police are out canvassing homes and businesses around the scene, hoping to find a witness who can help them, Heinzel said.
"Our focus right now is trying to find out what happened," he said. "We are focused on trying to identify a possible suspect."
Police have cordoned off a section of the street where Brown died.
Neighbours couldn't believe anyone would attack Brown, who was active in his church and wider community.
Brown is the eighth homicide victim in the Waterloo region this year.
With a report from CTV Southwestern Ontario's Michael Melling and Trina Maus
