| Location | Glen Vine, Isle Of Man |
| Age | 58 years |
| Date of Birth | 2/1950 |
| Date of Death | 3/2008 |
| Visitors | 2,098 since 04/04/2008 |
| Creator |
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.”
A perfect husband and father who dearly loved his family and was worshipped by them. Called up early by God at only 58, leaving a huge hole in countless lives. He will always be missed as he touched so many hearts - his family and friends take comfort from him being taken so quickly and painlessly, and from him now residing in perfect peace.
Please will you all leave any funny stories or tales about Dad as we would all love to hear them. Thanks. Sandie, Robert & Kate.
from a college friend
I met brian in my first year at didsbury college in 1970-1971, he was in his last year I believe. He was a high profile rugby player and personality and I was a shy very insular first year. He took me under his wing and introduced me to the best of college life. He was a very generous and sympathetic person. After a year he disappeared from my life. I came back from OZ at the end of march this year and started to think of brian for the first time in years. I remembered his first name but couldn't retrieve his last name. Yesterday I finally entered a google search that found him, unfortunately it was his obituary. I was going to look him up, I knew he, as a good manxman, would have returned to the IOM. Just want to say how I first met brian. I got dressed up and went to the flat of a second year girl I had just met. I knocked on her door and found that she was entertaining another (brian), it was very embarassing for me but brian made me feel welcome and we three played monopoly until the early hours. Belated condolences to his family.
smiling
I turned 6 when I first met Brian at my ant & uncle's wedding in Belgium. & since then, I kept the image of the 'continuous smiling man from the isle of man'. It always was a real pleasure to visit him at Titi & Nigel's place whenever he would come over in Belgium.
A real pleasure, yeah,... may be except that one time where he & Nigel came to pick me up to go for a run in the pitched slopes of the wood in the Sart-Tilman. The only problem was that I had a terrible headache (hmhm... may be I should rather talk about an impressive hangover...) but I still wanted to go with those two studs! What happen is that after having 'climbed' a slope,... I... let's say... had a little digestive problem... & Brian, the 'continuous smiling man from the isle of man' knew what's up... & laughted again... what Nigel also did... I felt so lonely but don't ask me why but was still so happy to be with that 'continuous smiling man from the isle of man'!
I will allways keep in mind the image of that outstanding buddy whom it was so pleasant to go along with.
A huge hug to The family,
With a lot of luv',
Geff
\
I have been fortunate to have worked closely with Brian for many years and to also have socialised with him in the “card school” during most lunchtimes when we were all available. Brian loved his cards and the phrases and traditions that developed over the years in the card school. Phrases such as “He had clubs in his hand” and “Sometimes there must be casualties” and “Get them split” are ones that I will forever think of being associated to Brian. He didn’t mind losing, but hated to be paid in copper coins when he won (in fact, this was one of the few things that made him cross). I have many happy memories of Brian salivating over his “Beef and Onion” crisps at lunchtimes, prior to him giving these up several years ago. I will really miss his banter at the card table.
Brian and I also shared a love of reading and we both enjoyed a similar kind of book (usually crime novels). It was always a pleasure to introduce Brian to a new author and vice versa. Brian would often say to me “I’m really enjoying reading (whatever book)” and only on the day that Brian passed away, I finished reading a book and my first thought was “Brian will enjoy reading that”.
Whenever there was a work party needed at Customs and Excise regarding matters relating to the building, Brian was always first to volunteer his services and he would get out his screwdrivers and allan keys ready to dismantle desks (something he became quite an expert in). He also quickly became on first name terms with all the various workmen who came to carry out any repairs to Custom House. This is very typical of Brian, who was friendly to most people he met and it would be hard for anyone not to have become Brian’s friend.
Brian was counting down the days to his retirement and I am so sorry that he never got the chance to enjoy this as I am sure he would have found plenty to fill his days.
Brian was a lovely kind hearted man and I will miss him.
My condolences to his family.
David Prescott
He Of The Great Legs
Hello,
I first met Brian when I joined Customs & Excise in 2005, I quickly learned to avoid the tea room at certain times when Brian was conducting 'the card school' (small change only) where the banter could be quite vocal!
Although our paths crossed professionally we more often discussed the local athletics scene. Brian being a keen walker and former runner he was quick to encourage me when I began running in local events myself last year. It seems apt that in my first race proper he was marshalling at Marown and cheering the competitors on. The following day in work he said 'I'm reliving my running days through you'!
From then on we would look out for each others results although only through reading the tributes on manxathletics.com have I discovered what a talented athlete Brian was. I would never have known how quick his times were because he never mentioned them, he was modest and thought more of encouraging the efforts of others than his past glories.
During a recent visit to a trader Brian came up in conversation and the gentleman I spoke with mentioned 'hows Brian? I saw he of the great legs out training the other day' this made me chuckle and perhaps showed the affection with which Brian was held by many.
I'll remember him when I'm wheezing up Snaefell in tomorrows race, perhaps he'll give me that extra gear.
My condolences to the family
Paul Cawley.
Fond Memory
Hi,
When I started at Customs in1999 it was after a long period of self employment in my own company. The work and the people at Customs were all new to me and I felt quite 'out of it', almost distant from colleagues.
Who, singlehandedly upped my spirits ? Brian, of course.
One day, a couple of weeks into my new job, I walked to town over Pulrose bridge. Suddenly, there was a beeping horn, and I looked up to see a red VW Golf driving past with the driver beaming away waving frantically at me. Although at the time he barely knew me, it was Brian being his usual cheery self. That really touched me, and my wife too. Made me feel welcome at Customs, and gave me a great enduring respect for Brian.
Lovely, genuine, man.
Best wishes,
Trevor Baker
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