March 26, 1953 - March 10, 2017
Bryan departed this earth in the arms of those who love him so dearly, 3 months after being diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Bryan’s presence will be deeply missed by his partner and wife Jewel Lightfoot and her children Sara, Myles, his adopted daughter Kathleen, Bryan’s mother Jacqie, siblings Ginny, Gerry and John and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bryan came to the west coast as a young man and thrived on Quadra Island for over 35 years. As a result of living and loving the community here, he has left a tremendous extended family of people who love him.
Bryan was a very loyal friend always seeing the best in people and a true mensch. His sense of humor was legendary and he loved to fall into character and entertain. Bryan spent many years on stage as one of the Quadra Players as well as doing sets and lighting throughout the years and treated life as a stage. One of his most endearing qualities was his ability to tell stories of his own follies and foibles and laugh at himself.
Bryan’s enormous intellect and curiosity lead to an exceptional life. He always saw opportunity and potential in everything he encountered.
Bryan explored the world, travel being a great inspiration to his understanding of humanity and wisdom, as well as inspiring and informing his love of architectural design and form.
He was a salmon fishing guide for many years on Quadra, out of April Point, before finding his true craft - woodworking, building and design. Numerous examples of Bryan’s remarkable craftsmanship grace Quadra, Stuart, Bowen, Denman Ilands, Campbell River, Comox Valley, Victoria, Baja Mexico as well as several projects on the Island of Hokkaido, Japan.
Living in and exploring Baja was his greatest joy and the many vans Bryan outfitted for these travels nourished his soul in a visceral way.
Bryan honored the sublime in the simplest of things; a perfectly brewed cup of tea or a perfectly brewed beer, a sunrise, the texture of a book, or the ritual of the Plum Blossom Celebration each spring. Bryan was a voracious reader, a well written book was his great pleasure giving way to his daily restorative naps.
So now Bryan is vibrating on a different level, none the less here with us always, always looking after us, if we just open to his presence.
My children Sara and Myles and I are so grateful for the years of love, life and adventures we shared.
Any donations in Bryan’s honor could be directed to the Campbell River Hospice Society @ www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/campbell-river-hospice-society who continue to serve and support families at such intimate times.