Brian was born in Taber AB and grew up in Bow Island AB in a prairie farming community. He died at his home on Vancouver Island with family and friends and was laid to rest in a beautiful green burial ceremony in a future Gary Oak meadow. Brian is survived by his life partner Deb Wood, their son Jonah (Baneza) and his loving granddaughters Jennifer (David), Kelly (Peter), Casandra (Steve) and Maya and his great grandchildren Valentina, Robert Jonah, Lily Aurora and Javi.
Brian was predeceased by his parents, mother Jillane Mary (nee Jozsa) a devoted teacher and father Peter Paul Roth a respected farmer. Brian leaves behind his 2 brothers Dewane (Katie) and Jerome (Michelle) and 4 sisters Bernadette (Greg), Monica (Fraser), Sandra and Regina (Theo), and his much loved and appreciated nieces and nephews.
Brian really enjoyed learning and academics and graduated from University of Lethbridge with both an Education and Biology degree. All his
adult life he was a strong advocate and wonderful model for lifelong learning, social justice and environmental stewardship and would use his degrees to further our knowledge and understanding of the natural world to help protect our Old Growth Forest and Wild Salmon. He became a computer programmer and tech pro and in that field, he held positions both at the University of Victoria and the Provincial government. Brian and Deb settled on their property in Sooke and when he ‘retired’ he took on his favorite job as Sooke’s Wharfinger/Harbourmaster down at the government wharf; he felt so privileged to get to know and learn about Sooke’s marine fishing history and community. Brian was one of the founding members of the Sooke Sailing Co-op, was an avid reader, hiker, biker and found great joy in being with his family and friends. His grandchildren describe him as gentle, patient, funny, mischievous, a great listener and dependable. He was a fine gentleman and a loyal friend and husband. He was a good man who will be missed and always remembered with love.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Veronica Arndt {Stappler}
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Bob and Debbie Townsend We are very sorry for your loss. He waa a cousin who lived very close to us on the farm. He was a very clever man and seems he had come a long way from the farming roots he was raised upon. Remember riding on the school bus with him. Sounds like he had a lovely life and enjoyed his work and his family.. we offer our deepest condolences and are in our thoughts and prayers.
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Don & Ruth Our condolences to Deb and family on the passing of Brian. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Don & Ruth
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Drusilla Pearson My condolences to Deb and family and the Roth family. Brian was a kind wonderful friend and also for a few years a colleague. He had an amazing dry sense of humour that made being around him so much fun. Going on work field trips, hiking and skiing in the mountains, canoeing, learning to sailboard, hunting for Christmas trees or watching movies were some of the things we did together and it was always a pleasure to have Brian’s company. I will miss the visits to Alberta he made, when moved to the west coast, and always stopped by. Knowing Brian has been a joy in my life and left me with lasting wonderful memories. My condolences to you all.
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Gordie and Lis The gentle and warm energy that came thru Brian, when ever you ran into him, at meetings, the grocery store or feeding the fish at the hatchery, was such a treat. The love Brian and Deb shared for each other was so wonderful to witness, he was a true gentleman in all he took part in, even the protest of the trees. We feel blessed to have been lucky enough to “walk along the way” with him.
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Christa Brenan I miss Brian. He had a great, subtle sense of humour, the ability to summarize an issue to a fine point, and could deliver a finely reasoned viewpoint in the least number of words possible. He was an earth champion who was patient and didn’t have a big ego. When Brian and Deb danced he wore a grin like he was the luckiest man on earth & showed clearly his deep love & affection for his soul mate. Dear gentle friend and community member, we will remember you always.
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Pam & Dave Quinn Pam & Dave Quinn
Still can’t believe Brian has left us but we certainly have many wonderful memories from the last 40 years that he will be with us forever. We learned a lot from him -safe practices when camping (who knew if you cook bacon by your tent a bear might come visiting mighty quick!), canoeing (don’t let Dave & Pam canoe together!!!) and of course with Deb becoming aware of our responsibility of being caregivers of this wonderful earth we live on.(We only buy wild Salmon now!) Thank you dear friend for teaching us, caring for us and making us always feel welcome. We miss you!
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Kelly Phillips Very sorry to hear about Brian, I knew him well thru grade, junior and senior high school. He was a respected friend of mine during our school years at St. Michaels in Bow Island. We spent many hours playing after school, camping down by the river and playing pool in his parents basement.
All my condolences.
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Sharon Barker Sorry to read about Brian’s passing. I worked with him during his Ministry of Education/Open School days. He was a quiet individual who always had a ready smile.
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Caroline and Clive Our little neighborhood of friends are at a great loss without Brian. His quiet, kind nature and wry smile will always be missed. Feeling privileged to have known such a gentle soul!
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Karen Longland Brian will always be remembered as a kind, giving, understanding and gentle man. He will always be a part of The maple Avenue family. He will be missed greatly, and never forgotten.
My deepest condolences to Deb and family and the Roth family in the passing of Brian…
You all are in my thoughts and prayers at this time…