Brian died on Dec. 1, 2015 at Victoria Hospice not far from where he was born in 1942 to Robert T. and Norah Wallace. Brian loved his life.
His wife Marilyn and his daughters, Erin and her husband, Greg Sullivan and children, Wallace and Duff and Anna and her husband, Mark Colavecchia and children, Enzo and Remy, formed his cornerstone. He was devoted to his family and so proud of each of their accomplishments. He was always respectful, giving thoughtful advice only when asked. His absence is already deeply felt but he has left so many great shared memories and 3 strong women. His sister, Barbara Craigie, (husband Ross Craigie and sons Ian and Keir) was his treasured lifelong friend. Ian and Brian travelled many miles together on their BMW motorcycles (see http://longwayshome.net/). Ian always got Brian home and almost always in one piece.
Brian started at Margaret Jenkins School, was a member of the Fairfield Cub Scout Troop and a member of the YMCA Swim Team. He kept close friends from each, all of his life.
He graduated from UBC Law School in 1968 and practiced in Victoria before joining the Foreign Service as a Trade Commissioner. After 2 years in Mexico City, he moved to Ottawa to work in the Dep’t of Justice in Tax Litigation. From there he joined the Vancouver law firm, then Lawson, Lundell where, as Senior Litigator, he had a wide and varied practice for 32 years. At the same time he spent countless hours volunteering as a Bencher with the Law Society of B.C. He remained on the Society’s Disciplinary Panel until just months before he died.
In 2007, Brian joined Angela Westmacott and Deborah Lovett in Victoria working in Public Law and sitting as an Arbitrator. This was a happy and rewarding alliance that brought him great personal and professional satisfaction.
There were many other highlights in Brian’s career such as serving as Senior Legal Counsel on the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of the Fraser River Sockeye Salmon. But what was always apparent throughout his years practicing law was the pleasure he received from working with and mentoring young lawyers. “Brian was the most influential person in my career. His moral compass pointed straight and true. He taught us that honesty and integrity were the best guides through grey areas.” Peter Feldberg.
Brian had a deep and sincere enthusiasm for life and for the people around him. He took great joy in his countless friendships, both old and new. He had a love for art, music, food and architecture. And particularly enjoyed sharing these passions with the people in his life.
Thank you Dr. Susan Edwards, Dr. J.P. McGhie and Dr. Isabelle Vallières and everyone at Victoria Hospice.
“Over the past weeks (and really for our entire lives), our family has been on the receiving end of so much love, kindness, generosity and compassion. People have truly given us the very best of themselves. And we are so, so grateful.” Erin, Anna and Marilyn
A Celebration of Life will be held at Shaughnessy Golf Club at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 22nd, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Victoria Hospice or the Access Pro Bono Society of B.C. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
23 Responses
Dear Marilyn
Brian was a good friend to me in law school and beyond. We roomed together for one summer in Place Vanier, UBC where he and I were both Dons and could jointly afford the cheap summer rent of the Don’s suite. He was an usher at my wedding and used to have fun as he attended the parties given by Aunt Joan Wallace and would say “I’m from the ‘poor’ Wallaces” I knew his father and always admired his joy in ‘the experience of life’. but in the things that really matter he had great riches. I learned of his death now in June, 2016 and am sorry to have missed his memorial.
i remember Brian very well and have fond memories of our time together in the University Naval Training Division (UNTD). He was a student at UVic and then UBC while I was at McMaster. In the summer of 1961 we met in HMCS CORNWALLIS in Nova Scotia where about 300 students from universities across Canada were stationed for 4 months in their first year and 4 months in their second year. Brian was an active light among some duller ones, an excellent swimmer, and pretty sharp in his uniform. His willingness to engage in discussions, and some pranks, made him an interesting mate. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Roger Elmes
President
UNTD Association of Canada
Dearest Marilyn, Erin and Anna (and families).
Please accept my sincerest condolences with the passing of Brian. So many fond memories throughout the years. It was an honour to have known him!
Love from YO.