Tribute

“A Life Well Lived” December 28, 1938 – December 9, 2016

Brian was the first born to parents Alan and Dora (née Thomas) and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, England. The family’s only mode of transportation was a motorcycle and sidecar. In 1956, Brian was 17 and responsible for their transatlantic relocation and safeguarding his mother and three younger sisters. Their father, already in Canada, had made preparations for their new life. Brian found a job the very next day and worked to help support his family. In Hamilton, his first brother arrived before they all moved west to Fort Saskatchewan, where his second brother was born. Now in Edmonton, Brian began a career in autobody and paint. While an apprentice, he met the love of his life; they married and had their first child. They welcomed their second child in Fort Saskatchewan before finally settling in Powell River in 1967 to have their third child, where they would remain for the rest of his life. Brian enjoyed professional success at Highland Auto Rebuilders, MacMillan Bloedel and Stewart’s Painting and Decorating. In 1971, Brian purchased an acre of land south of town and started a hobby farm with his prairie-born wife and young family. In his kids, Brian instilled core family values through labour and daily chores. We raised pigs and free-range birds and ate fresh eggs and organic vegetables. We also enjoyed camping, boating and road trips back to Saskatchewan In 1987, after the kids had left, Brian and Annette made a new home in Townsite and had wonderful neighbours. Brian was a member of Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department, an auxiliary police officer and a paramedic with the ambulance service. As a team member of public speakers with the Moose Lodge, he travelled extensively throughout North America. Brian organized and supported many charities and devoted much of his time to help the needy and less fortunate in this community. He was a charter member of Faith Lutheran, where he remained steadfast. Not only did Brian swim competitively in the 1960s, he also coached and mentored swimmers, building confidence and self-esteem in many young men. His interests included scuba diving, golfing, curling and karate. He enjoyed intarsia, the collector-car hobby and riding his new Harley, a passion he rekindled at age 76, knocking one more item off his bucket list. Brian was predeceased by his parents and his daughter Terrie Lee. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Annette (née Bautz), sons Anthony (Lori) and Vincent (Julie), grandchildren Maxwell, Alyse and Jordan Kramchynski, sisters Barb (Don), Ann (Les) and Linda (Bruce), brothers Robert (Heidi) and Michael (Tonia) and generations of cousins, in-laws, nephews, nieces and a lifetime of new and old friends. The family is forever grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, love and kindness, compassion and understanding over the years and, especially now in this our most difficult time. Overcome by cancer, Brian’s body finally succumbed to this disease but his will and his spirit remained strong and intact. We are forever indebted to Doctor Skobkareva for supporting Dad’s wish to remain in his home while under her care. We sincerely thank the home care nurses, Sheena and the palliative nurses and the pilots of Angel Flight for their care and professionalism. Friends Pat and Joanne have been entrusted to carry out Brian’s final wish. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Faith Lutheran, Powell River General Hospital Foundation (palliative care) or Angel Flight. The family will host a more fitting celebration of life in the spring: the season Brian enjoyed for short-sleeved shirts, shiny cars and motorcycles. – See more at: http://www.prpeak.com/archived-obituaries/obituaries-alcock-hill-stewart-woods-1.4677413#sthash.AFLMUplt.dpuf