Obituary for Brian Joseph Green
Green, Brian Joseph (June 14, 1936 – December 26, 2021) –
It is with profound sadness, we the Green family, announce the peaceful passing of our cherished dad Brian, at the age of 85, on Boxing Day surrounded by so much love and care. Brian is predeceased by his loving mom Elsie and by his dad Alfred, his sister Dorothy and his granddaughter Michelle. He is survived by his dear sweet sister Jen (who at 95 still refers to him as her baby brother), his three loving children Tracy Crandall (Grant), Toni Green (John), Scott Green (Pat), and his five grandchildren Taylor, Gavin, Jaime, Farris, Brandon and three great grandchildren Audrey, Luxon, Skyla, as well as his nieces, nephews, and many good friends.
Born in Sunderland, England, where as a wee bairn he spent much of his time near his family home by the North Sea, he held so many fond memories playing on the beach and going for many swims often with his dog Whoopee by his side. Brian immigrated to Canada on his own at the young age of 17 where his deep love and passion for water continued to be a large part of who he was. He loved to swim (the front crawl and butterfly were his forte) especially long-distance … whether it was hundreds upon hundreds of lengths in the pool or in the expansive great lakes of his new home Ontario. It was where he was happiest and made his four decade long career with the Borough of Etobicoke lifesaving, teaching, training and supervising and of course swimming…and always sharing his skill, passion and enthusiasm. He was also greatly known over the years at Memorial Pool, in particular, for his practical jokes and ever so present and booming voice. We are pretty sure his voice still can be heard echoing high in those vaulted rafters! Brian lived and breathed aquatics including his work with training marathon swimmers, working alongside many charities and organizations and most close to his heart … the Special Olympics. He proudly retired his speedo in his sixties but was forever donning some form of trunks for most of the rest of his days. Whether boating or fishing with his son Scott, his sidekicks RJ and Jimmy B. or his special friend and nephew Clive, our dad was at his happiest by the water, wildlife, and the outdoors. Ohhh the stories they would all tell! In his final lap of his long-lived life... Brian found so much joy and comfort in his beautiful new home in Long Point where he wanted to spend his mornings, noons, and nights overlooking his beloved Lake Erie that he often visited and enjoyed since a young man in his 20s. In the warmer months (even the cold ones) he would love to sit and sun himself on the patio or the beach whether the waves were ferociously rough or as he would always note “smooooth as glass”. He is already deeply missed by us all and will be in our broken hearts for eternity. So many treasured memories will carry with us always. Our collective comfort comes in knowing he is truly and finally at peace and now surrounded by those he lost and held dearly … no doubt telling his jokes and tales to all who will listen (how could they not?!).
In keeping with Brian's very expressed wishes, and after a tender and heartfelt final goodbye from his children, his cremation has been entrusted to the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes – Burial and Cremation Services Inc., 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg. Brian’s family will have a private celebration of his life at a future summery date where his ashes will be scattered on the sparkling waters of Lake Erie along with those of his furry companions, he was so incredibly fond of. Brian was ever so thankful and grateful to those who genuinely cared for him with compassion and grace in his life and along his complex road of declining health and wellbeing. Grant, who was always by our Dad’s side for the last 18 months, assisted his friend…his “bud” through this tough journey bonded with so much mutual respect and trust. He would especially like to thank all of the many volunteers, therapists, specialists, doctors and nurses that cared for Brian and helped them navigate safely through these covid filled times. Words could never express how grateful we are to you. Our family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the dedicated Dialysis and Palliative care teams at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. Of special note was his nurse angel Elke who took such great care of our Dad in the end. He truly felt your kindness and compassion. We know without a doubt he would say “thank you and God Bless ‘Pet’” a term of endearment he so lovingly used and one we will treasure always. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brian’s name to a favourite charity or to the (Ontario Branch of the) “Kidney Foundation of Canada” via Brian’s online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com or by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes (519)842-4238.
It is with profound sadness, we the Green family, announce the peaceful passing of our cherished dad Brian, at the age of 85, on Boxing Day surrounded by so much love and care. Brian is predeceased by his loving mom Elsie and by his dad Alfred, his sister Dorothy and his granddaughter Michelle. He is survived by his dear sweet sister Jen (who at 95 still refers to him as her baby brother), his three loving children Tracy Crandall (Grant), Toni Green (John), Scott Green (Pat), and his five grandchildren Taylor, Gavin, Jaime, Farris, Brandon and three great grandchildren Audrey, Luxon, Skyla, as well as his nieces, nephews, and many good friends.
Born in Sunderland, England, where as a wee bairn he spent much of his time near his family home by the North Sea, he held so many fond memories playing on the beach and going for many swims often with his dog Whoopee by his side. Brian immigrated to Canada on his own at the young age of 17 where his deep love and passion for water continued to be a large part of who he was. He loved to swim (the front crawl and butterfly were his forte) especially long-distance … whether it was hundreds upon hundreds of lengths in the pool or in the expansive great lakes of his new home Ontario. It was where he was happiest and made his four decade long career with the Borough of Etobicoke lifesaving, teaching, training and supervising and of course swimming…and always sharing his skill, passion and enthusiasm. He was also greatly known over the years at Memorial Pool, in particular, for his practical jokes and ever so present and booming voice. We are pretty sure his voice still can be heard echoing high in those vaulted rafters! Brian lived and breathed aquatics including his work with training marathon swimmers, working alongside many charities and organizations and most close to his heart … the Special Olympics. He proudly retired his speedo in his sixties but was forever donning some form of trunks for most of the rest of his days. Whether boating or fishing with his son Scott, his sidekicks RJ and Jimmy B. or his special friend and nephew Clive, our dad was at his happiest by the water, wildlife, and the outdoors. Ohhh the stories they would all tell! In his final lap of his long-lived life... Brian found so much joy and comfort in his beautiful new home in Long Point where he wanted to spend his mornings, noons, and nights overlooking his beloved Lake Erie that he often visited and enjoyed since a young man in his 20s. In the warmer months (even the cold ones) he would love to sit and sun himself on the patio or the beach whether the waves were ferociously rough or as he would always note “smooooth as glass”. He is already deeply missed by us all and will be in our broken hearts for eternity. So many treasured memories will carry with us always. Our collective comfort comes in knowing he is truly and finally at peace and now surrounded by those he lost and held dearly … no doubt telling his jokes and tales to all who will listen (how could they not?!).
In keeping with Brian's very expressed wishes, and after a tender and heartfelt final goodbye from his children, his cremation has been entrusted to the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes – Burial and Cremation Services Inc., 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg. Brian’s family will have a private celebration of his life at a future summery date where his ashes will be scattered on the sparkling waters of Lake Erie along with those of his furry companions, he was so incredibly fond of. Brian was ever so thankful and grateful to those who genuinely cared for him with compassion and grace in his life and along his complex road of declining health and wellbeing. Grant, who was always by our Dad’s side for the last 18 months, assisted his friend…his “bud” through this tough journey bonded with so much mutual respect and trust. He would especially like to thank all of the many volunteers, therapists, specialists, doctors and nurses that cared for Brian and helped them navigate safely through these covid filled times. Words could never express how grateful we are to you. Our family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the dedicated Dialysis and Palliative care teams at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. Of special note was his nurse angel Elke who took such great care of our Dad in the end. He truly felt your kindness and compassion. We know without a doubt he would say “thank you and God Bless ‘Pet’” a term of endearment he so lovingly used and one we will treasure always. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brian’s name to a favourite charity or to the (Ontario Branch of the) “Kidney Foundation of Canada” via Brian’s online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com or by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes (519)842-4238.