Violet and I are heartbroken to have to announce the sudden, unexpected passing of our eldest son, Brendan James Brewster, at his home in Victoria, B.C. on 6 March 2016, about three months shy of his 38th birthday.
Brendan was a bartender, who practiced his craft at Clive’s Classic Lounge in the Chateau Victoria hotel, and there will be a wake and celebration of his life there from 1 to 4 PM on Sunday, 13 March (remembering we “spring forward” Sunday morning); there will also be a separate memorial for family and close friends. Arrangements are being handled through McCall Bros. Funeral Home. There will be no obituary in the newspaper, as social media seems to be filling that need. The coroner was unable to determine the cause of his death; although Brendan had dealt with severe depression of late, and addictions in the past, he had been receiving treatment, and was looking forward to continuing to develop cocktails, and being able to swim often, since moving in next door to the Crystal Pool.
Brendan was born in Halifax, N.S. on 31 May 1978, the eldest of three brothers; he grew up in Halifax, Victoria, Kingston and Ottawa, in Faringdon, England and Alkmaar, The Netherlands, before leaving home for Dublin, Ireland to continue learning his craft. Brendan was a big, gentle bear of a man, (his nickname was “Bear”), and he was one of the most empathetic and generous people I have ever known. He was also a consummate professional bartender. He was scientific in his approach to taste, and the chemistry of drinks. He was passionate about customer service and his knowledge of the history of beer, wine, spirits and cocktails was encyclopedic. He worked in pubs, bars, and lounges in Bergen Op Zee (Holland), Dublin, Victoria, Vancouver, and Edmonton; as a bartender, he enjoyed nothing more than serving customers, with the exception of mentoring young people who were entering the profession.
Brendan is survived by his mother and father, Violet and Dwight; by brothers Liam and Rory; nieces Kyra and Ea; and best friend always/other brother, Jordan Guest, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be sorely missed by them, and by hundreds of colleagues and protégés, and thousands of customers.
We respectfully ask that you make a donation to the charity of your choice in lieu of sending flowers.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
49 Responses
Incredibly sorry to hear of his passing.
I truly hope that in this time you can take a little happiness in knowing that Brendan made so many people happy. It was a pleasure getting to know him.
My deepest and most sincere condolences.
Brendan had a rich and meaningful impact on my life and I am grateful for having met him. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express this. All my love.
Violet and Dwight, I’m an Edmontonian friend of your son, and wanted to pass on my heartfelt condolences. Brendan was a lovely man with a beautiful heart. He was a great friend to many people in this town, he burned bright and, as you say, he was a gifted and generous mentor – an innovator, inspiration and natural teacher. His talent, spirit and enthusiasm will live on through so many others. He will be so missed by so many, that says it all. Sorry for your loss.
Edmonton is better because of him. He was a brilliant soul.
My deepest condolences. He was a great person who touched my life in a way that won’t be forgotten. Rest easy good sir.
I’m very sorry for your loss. I worked with him in Edmonton and he showed me nothing but kindness, wisdom and love. He will be very missed!
I was fortunate enough to get to know, and become friends with Brendan during his stay in Edmonton. He truly was a kind and generous soul. The passion that he had for his craft inspired me, and reignited my own love for it. I can honestly say that he single handedly led the craft cocktail revolution in this town. His presence will be felt for a very long time, as will his absence.
My deepest condolences for your loss of such a truly great man.
Bear you will be missed my friend. Your grace your respect to others and your being the epitome of the definition of class will never be fulfilled by anyone else. Rest my friend you will never be forgotten
I was very sad to hear of the passing of Brendan. But here’s the thing, I never really knew him. Oh sure I knew OF him and had met him in passing on occasion. I mostly knew of him through my wife Twyla and through her I was invited to the impromptu and informal wake held in Edmomton on the day of the news.
Brendan was known of by every member of the edmonton food scene…chefs to eaters and all people in between. We all knew of his singular importance to our burgeoning cocktail scene. Many, probably correctly, credit him with its creation. He has a legacy. That is one hell of accomplishment in such a short life.
Here’s the thing though: he was like a snuffleupagus….always discussed, almost seen, leaving a trial of clues of his existence as he moved from place to place, but hard to find. This fact segues into the most remarkable observation about this elusive barkeep…..you didn’t need to know him to love him. He was so universally admired, you could experience it vicariously. I watched this in action at his wake here….total strangers, people who had never once laid eyes on the man extolling his virtues and crying at his passing. It is usual that people mourn those they knew. It is entirely a differnt level of acclaim when those doing the mourning don’t know the deceased but wish they had.
So from a man who never really knew your son, I pass on my sincere condolences. His mythic presence will be sorely missed.
I wish to write my condolence. It is a terrible lose that brendan is gone. He had a lot to offer and I wish I could have helped. I too-battled depression and I am lucky enought to have survived my gambles. Brendan did a lot for the edmontoncocktail scene and I owe him for a couple techniques that make me a professionally trained bar keep. My deepest condolences. Josh.