Brent Allyn McFarlane passed away one month shy of his 71st birthday on April 2nd, 2019 in Waterloo, Ontario. He leaves his wife of 48 years Vicki; his son Christopher; daughter Andrea; son in law Chadwick and his two grandchildren Bryce and Samuel. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Sarnia, Ontario. Vicki and Brent began their lives together in Waterloo in the late 1960’s.
Brent was an honors graduate in Kinesiology and Science from the University of Waterloo. He taught physical and health education for over 30 years with the Wellington County School Board.
As an athlete he competed in sprints and middle-distance events. It was as a coach and educator that he made his mark on the sport in Canada and World-wide. For three decades he studied and visited over 50 countries and wrote extensively (500 articles). He was a world-renowned author publishing four books on Speed, Agility and Conditioning and The Science of Hurdling. His books are still sought after by athletes and Coaches around the world today. He conducted countless clinics and workshops throughout the world.
Brent was Canada’s Head Track and Field Coach for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He coached on 33 Canadian National teams including four Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games, three Pan Am Games and three World Championships. Thirty-seven individual athletes from his training group were on National teams, producing 40 National Champions and establishing 22 Canadian records.
With all his national and international involvement, he was also the Head Coach of the University of Waterloo Varsity Team and Kitchener Waterloo Track and Field Club. In 1991 and 1997 he was named “Coach of the Year” by the University of Waterloo. In 1993 he was awarded the 3M “Coaching of Excellence” by Athletics Canada for his contribution to education in Canada. In 1996, he was named University Women’s OWIAA (Ontario) and CIAU (Canadian) Cross Country “Coach of the Year”. In 2002 Brent was inducted into the University of Waterloo Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 2007, Brent was recognized as one of 50 University of Waterloo Alumni for his outstanding commitment to the University at the 50th Anniversary Alumni Awards.
Brent will be greatly missed by all whom he mentored, taught and coached.
A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 173 Lourdes St. Waterloo, Ontario on Saturday, April 13th at 10:00am with reception to follow at the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the Family is asking for donations to the Brent McFarlane Scholarship at the University of Waterloo.
Arrangements entrusted to the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Homes-Waterloo Chapel 617 King St. N. Waterloo 519.888.7700. Condolences online at www.grahamgiddyfh.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Brent Allyn McFarlane Tuesday April 2nd 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Fergus, Province: Ontario