About Brian

Brian was an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He was liked by everyone and had lots of friends. I've been told over and over again that there wasn't anyone in school and in life that could or would say they didn't like him. Brian was a gentle, old soul. Someone he worked with called him an old soul and he liked that. Brian was handsome, athletic, smart and so very funny. He had a quick thinking one liner sense of humour. Brian loved spicy food, chicken wings in particular, the spicier things were the better. Brian was a gifted hockey player and would play all year round. He had a passion for the game and always wanted to be on the ice. On the ice he was his happiest. He thrived in competition and always gave all he had, no less - ever. He was a defenceman and had more interest stopping people from scoring then scoring himself. He was great at creating offence to though. He loved the game so much. Brian was and is our favourite player of all time. In school Brian ran track and really enjoyed it. When Brian got into something or took an interest in something he had to learn about it thoroughly so he could succeed. He often turned to youtube. He watched different running styles of different track atheletes and worked on what fit him. We always loved seeing him run track. He dabbled in other sports over his life, soccer, basketball, volleyball. He generally was good at what he tried and then worked to get better if he wanted to. It was a good work ethic and mindset to have. He was such a hardworker. Hardwork didn't scare him. Brian loved playing videogames with friends on the computer and beating his Dad at NHL on Xbox. Brian was very good at chess and could solve a Rubix cube in under 1min. He was very proud of that, rightfully so. Brian had many many friends and loved spending time with them. He would talk about everyone and what they were into and what they were good at, so proudly. He loved the gym and working out. He would go to the gym daily and then on the way home grab a milkshake because he so wanted to put on weight. Brian was adored and looked up to by his younger siblings and was a great role model. They still often say they want to be just like him. Brian was a smart boy who was good in math and never had a bad thing to say about any teachers. From kindergarten to grade 11, they too never had a bad thing to say about him. 

Covid and isolation changed Brian. It had a profound effect for the negative. Getting older, trying to figure out whats next in life put a lot of pressure on him. He didn't want to lose alot of things he had, and he wasn't sure what path was right for him. He began to be depressed. He was withdrawing a little more and sleeping a little more and more. It was getting harder for him to concentrate and motivate himself to do school work, and although he loved his many many friends, would often times choose to sleep then spend time with them. 6 weeks before Brian left us he was diagnosed with depression. He was taking medication, talking to a counsellor and on a good path. We weren't going to stop there though, we would've done and were exploring anything possible to help him. We thought the medication and councellor was helping. He was talking to us more, hanging out with friends more, working at a job he said he loved and it seemed so, and was making a real effort to not let this win. I've learned now though, he wasn't telling us the full story. Brian was suffering in silence and keeping more from us then we knew. He was really struggling. The day Brian took his life it was a seemingly normal day. I drove him to school, he thanked me and said goodbye. He texted his mom and I a few times throughout the day and we didnt think anything was out of the ordinary. He had lunch with his friends like normal and was his usual self. After lunch he seperated from his friends as they thought he was going to class. He didn't. Details of that day have come to light more and we know alot about what happened. However there are holes that probably will never be answered. Hours after he left his friends, and shortly after a few more normal texts to us, Brian took his life. Before doing so he sent his mom a very generic note to make sure we knew nothing was on us. He had made this decision and thought it was for the best. That haunts us. We wish we could've talked to him, hugged him, explained why this wasn't for the best at all. We wish we could've helped him. We wish we had a chance to tell him how loved he was and how needed he was. 350 people attended his funeral, another 100 watched online. 600 plus people attended a hockey game to honour him. 1500 plus students walked in his memory at school. Thousands of people wrote me offering support. Countless wrote me about the impact Brian had on them whether he knew it or not. Most he wouldn't have known. Brian was so loved and made such a difference in the world. I wish he knew and would've stayed. 

Brian passed away but his organs were kept alive for 6 more days. 4 people were saved because of him. Brian's lungs went to a double lung recipient. His kidney and pancreas to another recipient. His second kidney to another recipient and his liver to a fourth recipient. Brian was a volunteer and helper by nature. He would not have wanted it any other way. Brian was and is a hero. He is our hero. His story is not over. It will continue to help and save others. We will make sure of that. We will make sure no other family, no other sibling, no other parent has to go through the pain and loss we felt then and feel every single day. 

Brian's Story;

 

#hopetogethernow