Ennis, Brian Joseph passed away peacefully on December 27, 2022 in his home at the age of 88. He is survived by Edie, his wife of 61 years, his children: Shawn (Shu), Maureen (Pat), Patrick, his grandchildren: Joseph (Jane), Elizabeth (Simon), Dominic (Kate), Simon (Jessica), James (Samantha), Andrew (Maggie), Siobhan, Maria, Stephen, Peter, John, Samuel, Monica, and his great-grandchildren: Sonja, Nico, Ambrose, and Matthew.
Born in 1934 in St. Helens, Lancashire, England, Brian spent his youth in St. Helens, Dover, Dunstable and Luton, where he lived for 11 years. At the age of 16, he emigrated to Kenya with his family to join his father, who was assisting the local people to set up a Kyanite mine in Murka. Brian worked as a machinist at the mine until he was 18 when he left to do his compulsory national service with the Kenya Regiment for three years.
In 1957, he immigrated to Canada, arriving in Montreal by Steamship, and travelled back and forth across the country in search of jobs in various trades. In 1959 while working in Fort Churchill, Manitoba as a heavy-duty mechanic for the Canadian army, he met the love of his life Edie, whom he married in 1961.
They moved to Falcon Lake, Manitoba where Brian worked for his father’s plumbing business. A few years later, Brian and Edie moved to Waterloo, Ontario where, while raising a family, Brian attended the University of Waterloo and earned his degree in civil engineering in 1970. Over the next few years his career took him and the family to Thompson, Manitoba (INCO) and Hinton, Alberta (Town of Hinton) and finally to Vancouver in 1976 where Brian worked for BC Rail until his retirement. Of all his career achievements he was most proud of the work he did as the Senior Project Engineer on the Tumbler Ridge Branch Line in Northern BC.
After his retirement Brian was able to enjoy the things he loved most in life: family, boating and music. He was always active playing the trumpet, and later saxophone, in an assortment of bands. He sang in the church choir and, when not making music, he enjoyed listening to his favorite records at home or going out dancing with Edie. He spent many happy days cruising the BC coast in his sailboat, Kilindi, which he built himself, and later his trawler, Breakaway, or tied up at Iron Bay in Indian Arm fishing and catching crab. Days in the sun, and nights by the fire, were full of stories, games and laughter with his grandchildren, family and friends.
In the later years of his life, he was blessed with great-grandchildren who brought that famous smile to his face and a twinkle to his eye. Brian’s kind and gentle ways, and huge heart endeared him to folk from every walk of life. He was a humble man of great faith who always saw the best in others and was generous with words of praise. He will be sadly missed and forever in the hearts of his family and all who knew him.
Prayers will be offered Thursday, January 5th at 6:00 pm at St Michael the Archangel RC Church, 9387 Holmes St, Burnaby, BC V3N 4C3. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael’s on Friday, January 6th at 11:00 am, Msgr. Rossi, celebrant.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus Charities (www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/knights-of-columbus-b-c-charity-foundation/).
Arrangements entrusted to Kearney Funeral Services (www.kearneys.com).
1934 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Brian Joseph Ennis 1934 2022 et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville:Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique