Brian Noonan passed away peacefully at Victoria General Hospital at the age of 86 with loving family present. He is survived by Margie, his wife of 62 years; daughters Linda (Dean), Jo-Anne (Gord), Kathy (Marc) and Shelagh, and 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Brian was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, where he attended Campion College. After receiving his BA at St. Dunstan’s University in Charlottetown, he received an LLB from Dalhousie University, Halifax in 1964 where he served as President of the Law Students Society. He practiced law in Brooks, Alberta, and Kelowna and Summerland, BC. In his later years he was a family mediator, and chaired Federal Government Disability Review Tribunals. He was an early proponent and practitioner of alternate dispute resolution as his preferred method to the adversarial approach. Brian was a peacemaker.
Brian was always involved in community affairs including the Brooks Kinsmen Club, and Summerland Rotary Club, for which he was a much-trusted host and organizer in the student exchange program. He served on the Brooks Town Council, Brooks Chamber of Commerce, Summerland Chamber of Commerce and Holy Child Catholic Church Parish Council. He was named Summerland Man of the Year in 1988. He was very proud of his over 40 years plus of sobriety which he credited greatly to his involvement in AA. Brian helped many people with their addictions through the years, including many fellow lawyers.
His greatest love and priority in life was his family which he always put first. He was very much a “people” person but he also dearly loved dogs. Singing in choirs, cycling, and sailing were also his passions, as well as football and basketball during his university years.
The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Clinton-Baker and the caring staff at Broadmead Care on Chatterton Way, Lodge A2, where he resided since August 2023, and for the compassionate care he received from Dr. Cloé Solanki, Dr. Adam Thomas and the wonderful nurses and health care workers in the Trauma Ward at VGH.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 10:30am at Sacred Heart Parish, 4040 Nelthorpe St, Victoria, BC with Fr. Dean Henderson officiating and Fr. Jan Grotkowski concelebrating. The mass will be live-streamed at https://youtube.com/live/Qe-pYeN8GAg
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the BC SPCA, 3150 Napier Ln, Victoria, BC V8T 4V5 or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Dick Tingley
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Imelda Kedge Dear Margie and family, I was so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. I loved to sing with him. I am in Victoria and was just chatting with Sr. Marina who informs me that you are still involved in D&P. You were both so involved in church and community. Wishing you peace and comfort.
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Debbie (Romuld) Piper Dear Margie and family, I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss. I appreciated the wonderful words shared by Kathy at the service yesterday. I have such wonderful memories of time caring for the girls and dogs, especially in Purcell Place (loved that house). Playing in the back yard, off to music lessons in Rosemary… I still think of you all whenever I’m in the neighbourhood. Praying that memories of happier days help you all though this difficult time
Warm hugs to all Debbie
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Birgir Fridjonsson I will forever be grateful for the year I lived with Brian and Margie in Summerland, they have a big part in who I am today. Myself, Hulda, Anna Maria and Svana Bjorg send our love and condolences from Iceland.
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Tannis Stoski Dear Mrs. Noonan, Linda, Kathy, Jo-Anne and Shelagh: I am sad to read of the passing of your husband and your Daddy. I have fond memories of our families enjoying life together in our earlier years. I send a heartfelt hug to all of you. We lost Mom in late November quite unexpectedly so we share in grief of our cherished loved ones. I pray for strengthened faith, strength and peace during this tough time. Sincerely, Tannis (Hargrave) Stoski, Sicamous BC
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Donna McNeely My memories of Brian will always be of his wonderful sense of humour and his joyful approach to life.
I am glad he and Margie and their lovely daughters were such a happy part of my life.
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Krista MacGuigan I am very sorry to hear of your loss of Brian, he was a lovely man of which part of our family too. My Dad enjoyed time spent with Brian as they continuously loved teasing each other. My prayers to Margie and all the girls and their families. Truly sorry for your loss, perhaps my Dad and Brian are laughing together in heaven.
Keep well and god bless..
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Pat Bell Margie and Family
So sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. He was a fine Lawyer and a Gentleman in the truest sense of the word. It was an honor to work with him.
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Pauline Mark What a great neighbour Brian was on Purcell Place in Brooks, Alberta. He was so patient with our Bulldog Michelle when she would sneak in their open patio doors and help herself to their pets food. My deepest condolences to Margie and the girls.
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Robert & Barb Quaedvlieg We send our sincere condolences to Margie and your four daughters and their families. We teamed with Brian and Margie leading the Summerland youth group in Holy Child Parish.
Brian sense of humour came through when he taught their Parrot to welcome his Mom on one of her many visits. We have told this humous story to many.
Be assured of our love and prayers for you all.
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David Chase First as clients, then later as friends, Rena and I so appreciated Brian’s humility, friendliness and his sense of humour. It was great being in The VIM choir with him and renewing our connection. My condolences to Margie and the family.
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Judi Cumming My deepest condolences to Margie, Linda, Kathy, JoAnne and Sheila and their families. Brian and Margie became dear friends when we all lived in Summerland. They welcomed our daughter Danielle into their home for a year after my husband and I and our two younger children moved to Europe. Brian was wise, funny, kind and so much more and I’m very glad that I knew him in this life and that his spirit lives on.
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Karen Mayer My condolences to the family. I knew Brian from his years in the Victoria Choral Society and from a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia where we were both part of a 50-person singing group. He was inquisitive and dedicated and a great contributor to both choirs.
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carol sidhu Our deepest sympathies to Brian’s family. May happy memories ease your broken hearts at this time.
For many years, Brian was a valued baritone in The Victoria Choral Society. He is fondly remembered by long-term choir members.
THE VICTORIA CHORAL SOCIETY
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Amy Noonan Amy, Athena & Anthony Noonan (Denis)
Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Margie & Family. May our love and prayers ease the pain of losing a loved one. He will be missed. Rest in peace (uncle) Brian.
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Rose Ann Mollard My introduction to Brian and Margie was in Halifax when Brian and my former husband were attending Dalhousie Law School. My connection continued throughout the years when they resided in Calgary, Brookes, Summerland and most recently in Victoria. A kind and gentle man with a great sense of humour – he always made me laugh.
I was so saddened to learn of his passing – my condolences to Margie and all his family.
Rose Ann
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Lorraine Spence Sending our condolences and prayers. Mr. Noonan made such a great impact on his family and community- he will be truly missed. I smile when I think of the special memories I have spending time with Jo-Anne and the Noonan family. You are often in my thoughts, especially when I pass by the various homes you lived in in Brooks. Love and hugs, Lorraine and Kevin Spence
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Kristian & Melissa He was a kind and loving man who will be missed by all. Our hearts are with you at this difficult time. We were lucky to know him.
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Jay My favourite uncle. A wonderful man. Will miss you uncle Brian.
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David George Hawker It is with sincere sympathy for your family loss. I have many wonderful memories of our time as neighbors with our two young families. Times at Lake Newell watching Brian turning his sailboat over, up righting it, only only to repeat the exercise 5 minutes later.
I regret that we will be unable to attend the service as we are book on a cruise from the 4th to the 27.Dave & Leona HAWKER
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Danielle Krysa I couldn’t have asked for a better “fake dad”. I’m so blessed to have had you in my life. xo
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Gordon and Raimunda Jackson Margie and family, As I read Brian’s Obituary it brings back many memories of the Brooks Kinsmen Club. We were involved in Christmas tree sales and the famous Brooks Rodeo! It was a time of volunteerism and Brian was always at the forefront offering his capable assistance! It was always the height of our trips to B.C. to visit Brian and family! Margie and family Raimunda and I offer our deepest condolences on our friend Brian’s Passing!!
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Anne Morton What a good man he was. Thinking of you and your family at this sad time, Anne.
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Peggy Le Vert So sorry to hear. But what a legacy he left behind!
I met Brian at St. Dunstan’s in 1958 I was in grade 11 living in the Dorm with 30 other kids however my older brother Gerry was in his Junior year. Lived in Memorial Hall and played football and basketball with Brian who resided in the same residence. I frequently visited my brother( as often as I could get out of the Dorm) and was often brought into their conversations. As so many have said in their comments about Brian’s character, it was evident a way back then. He was kind and caring to a young high school kid and I have wonderful memories of my being with Brian. My sincere sympathy to Brian’s family.