May 21, 1936 – August 29, 2013
Brian left peacefully on his final voyage August 29, 2013. Survived by his wife and best friend Deanna Joy Beckett, sons John (Lorene) and Jim (Marilyn), daughters Jennifer (Danny), Judith (Duffy), Jane (Rob) and Julie (Rob) and his 11 grandchildren and 1 great grand child. Brian was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1936 where he went to school until grade 9 and dropped out to take on various jobs. Brian joined the Navy in 1953 at the mature age of 17 as an ordinary seaman. Brian had a stellar career in the navy even though it appears he could not hold a job longer than 2 years. By 1962 he had risen to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class. After being asked twice to become an officer he attended prep school in 1964/1965. He was posted to Cornwallis NS from 1965 to 1968 for navigation training and finally posted to HMCS Annapolis for watch-keeping duties. He then attended a long operations course from 1970 to 1971 on HMCS Kootenay after which he was posted to the west coast aboard HMCS Chaudiere. He was promoted to the St. Croix as the XO from 1973 to 1974 and then sent to staff college in Toronto from 1974 to 1975. After a brief and unrewarding stint in Ottawa, he was promoted to XO of Yukon and Provider from 1979 to 1980. He then became the Captain of Kootenay from 1980 to 1982. Brian then spent 3 years in Norfolk, Virginia planning and executing navel exercises with NATO forces. His last post was as Base Commander of CFB Esquimalt from1987 to 1989 where he retired at the rank of Captain (N) CD OMM.
He met and fell in love with Deanna while on leave from the navy in 1955. It did not start well, as she thought he was arrogant and he called her for another girls phone number. However, with the help of Deanna’s best friend Valerie, who also happened to be Brian’s sister, he married to what was to become his life partner in 1956. After raising 6 children together and serving his country for 37 years, they set off on a two year around the world sailing cruise that lasted 10 years. The cruise, which they had planned all of their lives, started in Cyprus, went around the Mediterranean, up the midi canal through France, northern seas, down the coast to the Canary Islands, across the Atlantic and eventually ending in the Chesapeake. Brian was happiest at sea with Deanna when land was nowhere to be seen. He then established a successful boat surveying company which lasted 12 years and saw Brian crawling over 1200 boats. Brian was a lifelong learner and serviced his community until the very end. After settling in Oak Bay in 2000 Brian joined the Oak Bay Kiwanis, and eventually became President. His real passion was being on the Board of the Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion and making sure the Willows Tea Room was kept running to ensure ongoing funding for Pavilion activities. Fair winds and fair seas my love.
A private family ceremony will occur on Tuesday, September 3rd. A Celebration of Life with friends and family will be held Wednesday, September 4th from 1pm to 4pm at his home. Donations in Brian’s memory may be made to the Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion or the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
MCCALL BROS. LOGO
11 Responses
Just read the memorial piece in TC for Brian. I did not know him as well as others who served with him in the RCN or perhaps in OB Kiwanis. However, I was given his contact for a survey of my first sailboat (a Columbia 30), He did such an extraordinary job on this that I hired him again several years later for our second vessel. I was very sad to hear of his passing. I am glad that the memorial piece today caused me to look up his obituary as well as other websites which made reference to him. I was very glad to him have know him professionally.