Beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend to all, Thomas Bryan Irwin, 79, of Toronto Ontario, passed away surrounded by family and his adoring wife Betty, this past Father’s Day, June 19, 2022. Appropriate timing for “Pappy” to leave as he was THE BEST of fathers.
Described by friends as “magic in human form” and a “starter pistol of happiness”, Bryan had the rare ability to bring people close, draw them out of their shell, and make them laugh until it hurt. A child at heart, he found ways to connect with everyone he met, from babies to seniors, and they flocked to him. With Bryan, charades, conga lines, hide and seek, beach volleyball, roof ball, and games he invented on the spot were often all-day events taken to Olympic level. Bryan was an engaging, ebullient, force of life!
He was born to parents Samuel and Beatrice Irwin in Toronto, and was the youngest of four children, older brothers Arnold and Mac and his favourite sister, Marilyn. He was “Uncle Bryan” to many nieces and nephews and to anyone else who came into his orbit. Bryan was the classic baby of the family. After a mischievous early childhood, he was sent to Ridley College to complete high school. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario business school and then went on to obtain his law degree from Osgoode Hall at the University of Toronto in 1970.
Joining the family business IRWIN TOY in 1972, he became a legendary salesman who was known for getting on the floor and pretending to be a baby in order to demonstrate a toy. Bryan served as a board member for the Toronto Gilda’s Club helping to raise money to support families of cancer patients. Passionate in all things, Bryan adored arguing politics and was a lifelong, albeit tortured, fan of the Maple Leafs. He abhorred pretension and always connected to people with a warm generosity of spirit.
Bryan and his wife Betty lived a big life. Side- by- side, they hosted family and friends at their cottage every weekend on Lake of Bays, traveled the world and even survived a plane crash! There was no event that Bryan couldn’t at some point, weave into a game for fun or laughter.
The greatest joy of his life was his family. He was very proud of his two children, Jennifer (Rich McKay) and Mark and took every opportunity to boast about their accomplishments. His grandchildren Will, Matt, Erika and Mina were the light of his and Betty’s life and he soaked up every second he had with them.
When Bryan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, he never once showed a second of self pity or anger, and instead saw himself as fortunate that he had time to tell his family and friends how much they meant to him. He fought hard to prolong his life, and every day for over a year, Bryan would talk about how lucky he was, and in turn those around him saw how lucky they were. “In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.” Bryan had such a big heart that the love he passed around was so evidently reciprocated, including in his last year. He was humbled by the support that he received from his family and his vast circle of friends. They flew out to BC to visit, help with household chores, hold hands, listen, and laugh together. Emails full of happy memories (and a few outrageous ones) flooded in from people he had not seen in years. He reaped what he had sewn, and it was a plentiful crop.
Bryan’s family is indebted to Pancreatic Cancer Canada for unwavering help in navigating this past year and they thank specifically, Michelle Capobianco and Dr. Daniel Reneuf. Donations in lieu of flowers to Pancreatic Cancer Canada, pancreaticancercanada.ca or in the US, www.pancone.org would help to find a cure for this devastating disease.
According to Betty, “This wonderful magical man started his last limbo line on Sunday and wants us to continue dancing and laughing to the strains of Boney M. Bryan gave us the tools and a template for a wonderful life, and we thank him and love him like a rock.”
If his story touches you, honor him by doing something out of your comfort zone; start a conga line, sing loudly without the lyrics, give someone a hug, speak to someone who is shy, or just do something silly.
There will be a celebration of life this fall in Toronto.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Thoman Bryan Irwin June 19th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Vernon, Province: Colombie britanique
Bryan’s passing has indeed left a large void in our lives. Through 50 wacky and wonderful years, we so enjoyed his presence and marvelled at his exuberant lust for life (“I’m alive – I’m alive”).
His energy and ebullience bolstered our own journeys through the long years.
May God bless him and his family.
Barbara+Dick Smith
I am so sorry to hear of Bryan’s passing. Although I lost touch with Bryan over the years, I’ve never forgotten how much fun he was to be around. We drove to work together a lot – both of us early birds – and laughed all the way to the office. Gone but never forgotten.
Deb Brown