Brian valued family immensely, though his need for them was perhaps not always obvious.  He wasn’t one to organize large family gatherings – or to spend every weekend at gatherings organized by others. However, he’d rarely miss an opportunity to spend time with family – and for over fifty-three years he was inseparable from Judy, and deeply proud of their son Grayden.

At family get togethers, there were countless stories told about the four brothers and the trouble they caused for John and Martha.  Tricks played, sports enjoyed, cars wrecked, and the occasional battle fought.  Despite the sibling closeness, Brian left home at 17 – he didn’t ever do well under someone else’s authority, let alone as a teenager.  Given Grayden left home at 17 as well, it may run in the family.

As a very young man at the University of Manitoba, he was adopted by his Uncle Larry and Aunt Jean of the Thomas side of the family.  Their daughter Deb was the little sister Brian never had when growing up – and Brian valued those memories and connections for the rest of his life.  Deb’s own son, Brian, speaks to the connection the two shared.

If anyone doubts what family meant to Brian, you can glance at the family photo wall that Brian maintained and curated for decades.  Pictures of generations of his family and Judy’s, their life together, and Grayden’s life too.  That Laurence (Grayden’s partner) didn’t have a picture on the wall troubled Brian for years.  That lack has now been rectified.

The family picture wall is a small snapshot in comparison with the family tree Brian dedicated hundreds of hours to.  With over 1300 relatives of Brian & Judy listed, going back generations and out to distant distant cousins, the tree is a representation of Brian’s love of details, history, connection to and knowledge about people.

The lifelong marriage Brian and Judy shared was at the core of Brian’s being.  He always believed he was incredibly fortunate to be able to share his life with Judy.  Their complete connection was highlighted by how nearly everything was “Brian & Judy” – a single entity, right down to their shared email account.  Their love is perhaps best illustrated by Brian himself, in the slideshow and music he prepared for the 140 Birthdays.  Judy and Brian’s birthdays were very close – Brian’s November 10th, 1946. Judy’s January 9th, 1947. In 2016, Judy and Brian celebrated their 140 birthdays. For that event, Brian created a playlist of their music and a slideshow of pictures of their lives together. We share it here. It is both a memory of the things Brian liked to create and share with others, as well as the fundamental core of his life – his 53 year relationship with his love and best friend, Judy.