By Darryl
Brian was a great big loveable bear of a man. He did what we all strive to do in this life. He fully lived up to the dreams, hopes and aspirations of his
parents. He was a terrific son. He was a warm and loving husband. He was a devoted and proud father. He was a strong and true friend to his in-laws. He was an honest and loyal friend to many. And he was a truly great brother.
Brian was full of life. He lived every
minute of every day as if it were his last.
He made friends easily and had an instinctive ability to
always know when someone needed him.
He had his quirks.
To be honest, that is what made him unique and helped us all
to love him!
Brian could be clumsy.
He couldn’t walk across a room without tripping over a
stranger and making a new friend. Often a friend for life.
Lorna long ago stopped buying him suede shoes - the stains
were too hard to remove!
Brian was very strong.
There are many here who were caught at sometime in his embrace
– his big affectionate bear hug.
His life revolved around family, friends and sport – although
not always in that order!
He rowed for Coleraine Inst. and represented the school at
Henley Regatta.
He played senior rugby for North, Lisburn and the Granite City
and went on many tours and trips with the clubs. Not much was
ever revealed, but we always suspected he had a good time!
And Brian loved his golf, particularly
driving long and hard down the fairway in the White Horse
League. There were few who could match his power and accuracy.
At last count he had five sets of clubs scattered around the
world. It was symbolic of his many friendships that he would
be needing them at short notice.
Brian loved the life of a student.
He did well at his O and A levels and went to Queens to study
Civil Engineering.
So suited was he to student life that his mother often said
that if he had been paid to go to university he would still be
there!
He would display unconcern at impending
exams. He would leave studying to the last minute so as not to
interrupt his pleasures. But when it was almost too late, he
would cram like crazy, pass his exams and come out smelling of
roses.
After graduating, he discovered the
possibilities and rewards of the oil business. He moved to
Aberdeen and quickly made many new friends, some of whom are
here today.
But he still missed student life. No one
was surprised when he enrolled again to do an MBA. We were
surprised and delighted however when he completed the course
and graduated!
Brian took a long time to find the love
of his life. When he was asked why it took so long he said, in
typical fashion, “Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs!”
But he finally found his one true love,
Lorna.
Brian and Lorna married in Scotland. The
sight of BJ in a kilt still brings a smile.
When they eventually moved back to
Northern Ireland, both sets of parents were delighted - they
were settling down at last and enjoying their life together.
The international oil business was ideal
for Brian. He could work hard and train hard while he was
away. And he could play hard and enjoy family life when he was
at home. He could even find time for a crossword puzzle or
two.
Brian always had time for his family and
always had time for his friends.
The cards, emails and letters the family
have received in recent days are testament to the effect he
had on the many people he met throughout his life.
Once met, never forgot.
When Ethan was born, it was clearly the
happiest day of Brian’s life. He finally had the son he always
wanted.
When Archie was born a few years later, it was the icing on
the cake.
Two boys!
The fun they would have together.
The adventures and the laughs…
However it is not to be.
Although he lived more in 45 years than many do in 70, his
life has been tragically cut short.
I can only think to end with a phrase Brian often said to me
when were parting.
“Remember the good times – keep her lit”
Darryl
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