It’s been a great ride!
It was with a heavy heart I said goodbye to my one and only. Without any signs or warning, Brian was diagnosed with an inoperable & incurable pancreatic tumour in early March. With this devastating news, Brian started chemotherapy treatments at the end of March, which were traumatic on his body. While Brian was hoping for a good summer and fall, his cancer progressed quickly. Family and friends near and far joined in a ‘Happy Hour’ at 4 pm on April 28 to toast Brian and simultaneously play the 2 songs we had chosen. We were both warmed by the many messages that let Brian know how he had impacted the life of so many.
Leaving to mourn him is his wife Pat (49th Wedding Anniversary July 7), brothers Kevin (Cheri), Craig (Leanne), Brad (Erin), sister Geri, nieces Carolyn & Jody, nephew/Godson Pierce, his best friend since Grade 10, Dennis Jones and countless friends. He was predeceased by his parents Gordon (2002), Mildred (2020) and in-laws, Bob (2008) and Lucy (2019), who considered him a son.
Brian was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The family was transferred to Victoria in 1961 until 1964, back to Dartmouth and a final move in 1967 to Victoria upon his Dad’s retirement from the RCN and after Brian’s High School graduation. Brian joined the Canadian Coast Guard where he followed his Dad’s career footsteps earning his Marine Engineer Steamship ticket and served on the CGS Quadra for 5 years after which Brian worked one season on the Princess Marguerite when his Dad was the Chief Engineer. Not wanting a life at sea, Brian obtained his Electrician certification, working for Saanich Municipality and Ministry of Highways, retiring in 2004 and spending the next 5 years working for Raylec Power, until a permanent retirement in 2009.
Brian’s love of motorcycles began with his 1967 BSA Spitfire Mark III and his 8th and final Bike was a 2021 KTM 390 Adventure that he bought in the fall of 2021. In 2020, the family became aware of a gene mutation (BRCA) on his mother’s side that has affected several family members.
Gratitude and thanks to the doctors and nurses at RJH and VGH, Hospital at Home, Dr. Manders, and our long-time family Doctor, Dr. D.G. Forster.
Brian asked that anyone who wishes to donate in his memory to consider the Risky Genes Society https://riskygenes.org , Victoria Hospice or Victoria Eldercare Foundation.
A Private Remembrance and Celebration of Life has been planned as per Brian’s request in July.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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nancy tyler
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Olwen Anderson Dear Pat, I was quite shocked to read Brian’s obituary in the TC. I only met Brian a couple of times but I remember him as a very likeable individual. Having fairly recently gone through the loss of a much beloved husband I can empathize with the loss you must be feeling. Time does help to heal the hurt and I know that your friends and relatives will help you. My deepest sympathies go out to you at this time.
My sincere condolences to all the family. I just read the obit today and was shocked. Brian was a friend to many and helped anyone who needed it. He had the best sense of humour ever and if anyone could have lived forever, he would have been the one. I know how close you all were to him and can only imagine how much you miss him. It is difficult to imagine your family without him but thankful you have so many great memories of him.