I was so lucky to have first met Brian while working at Canada Olympic Park as a Sport Camp Director, embarking in such activities as mountain biking and everything one could imagine.
He loved the kids and the kids LOVED him. He was always such a joker, full of life, love and laughter.
After working with him all summer we discovered we were both accepted to go on the U of C Study Abroad to New Zealand. We were so excited that the days didn’t seem to go by fast enough. Brian left before me, starting his travels in Australia.
Brian lived, breathed, ate, slept, dreamt and loved rugby. He was like a little boy in a candy store when he arrived in New Zealand. We both went to the University of Waikato in Hamilton (AKA Ham Town).
He made the experience3 in New Zealand one I will never forget. He lived in a residence called Orchard Park while I lived in Student Village, but we still had regular dinner nights together and even celebrated BSD by ourselves. We traveled all over New Zealand together, exploring the north island including a quick two week trip to the south island with so many of our friends from all over the world.
Brian’s laugh and smile were contagious-when he laughed we all laughed. We became great friends with many of the Kiwis and telling them about the accident was one of the hardest things.
Brian played rugby for the university team at Waikato and made fabulous friendships with all of them. He was so quick on the field and was so happy when he played. Whenever the Waikato Chiefs were playing in Ham Town, Brian bought 10 tickets and you were going-whether you wanted to or not. He was their #1 fan.
When the All Blacks were in town he lined up days before the game.
I just think it is important to let you know how genuine this guy was. He never complained and even if he had a 30-page paper due the next day he always found time to sit and talk with you.
He will always be in my thoughts and memories. He was always an angel and now he continues those duties. So here’s to Brian, our angel, with the kindest heart I ever knew. As the Kiwis would say "he was one sweet ass mate!"