Dear Brian, You will always be the keeper of the fire for me. Quietly, lovingly always building and stoking the Oliphant community bonfire. Peace to you brother, Love, Jill
To all that love Brian... Brian reminds us of those little things so precious in life. He shed such a special light here on earth. God is pleased as he holds everyone close tonight. Brian has helped us to warm our paths and clear a little more of our own trails to heaven. We Love you all, April and all the Herrett family
April and Alan have both said beautiful things about Brian. He deserves every heartfelt word that will be, and has been, written about him. What a HUGE empty place there will be for those of us who loved him ................ and I thank God for our wonderful memories. He was truly a very special man!!
With tears in my eyes and apologies to poets everywhere.
An Ode to Brian "The Wildman rode with head held high across the inland sea The islands, shores and family there, no greater love hath he The souls he touched along his route rose higher by his wake A helping hand, a loving hug, a wave out on the lake In both calm and stormy waters, the Wildman plied his trade Buildings stand, a testament, but no more than friendships made A man both ‘Odd’ and ‘Wild’ they say, his navigation clear Mark the course along the way, for all that you hold dear
He never strayed, he helped, he played, he rose to every task Always there, with skill, and care, you never had to ask A man who leads through actions and deeds, is rare upon this sea This man, our friend, so quick to lend his strengths, his love completely A storm appeared, so fast, so feared, like none he’d faced before Others lead, in love and dread, the helm was his no more
The Wildman rides with head held high across the stormy skies He steers again, he marks the route, to blue and calm he flies I see his wake upon my lake, forget him I will never The Wildman rides across the sky and in our hearts forever"
Jason here again. My sadness for this loss is deep. We at the Oddfellow's lodge spent a good amount of time tonight toasting to his memory and having lively, heartfelt tales told of Brian and his influence on us over the years. That he is central to so many stories in our lodge simply holds out for all to see his total lack of selfishness, right up to the end. I'll miss the sound of his guitar on jam nights, his voice in the lodge room, and his hospitality on our IOOF retreats up north. Thanks, Brian, for being my friend, and the friend of many.
There are so many things that could be said about Brian. A life well-lived, a man of integrity, a loving father, husband and son. Perhaps one of his greatest gifts was to be a friend to many. Two quotations come to mind as I digest this sad news, both from "It's a wonderful life,"
Clarence: "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
Harry: "A toast to my big brother George, the richest man in town."
We first met Brian through our kids sports. Since then our kids ended up on several sports teams together, and we came to know Brian and the Bottrills as very character people, with Brian always volunteering his efforts and time. We know that God only selects special people to perform and endure certain things, and Brian is one of those people. Brian your journey was more than admirable, it touched all of us in a way so moving that only God above could comprehend fully. Your suffering was not in vain, it served a divine purpose. We salute a giant of a man......
I'll never forget, Lu, the first time I remember meeting Brian. You two were first dating and we were all sitting around talking. He couldn't get you close enough to him. He had his arms around you, smelling your hair, commenting on your perfume and he didn't care at all who was watching. I hope you always feel his love and presence as strongly as you must have felt it that night. My heart is broken for you, the boys and all of Brian's friends and family. He was a light.
Brother Brian, next time we meet you can show me the way again...
On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world. Attributed to: H.D. Thoreau
A brief candle; both ends burning An endless mile; a bus wheel turning A friend to share the lonesome times A handshake and a sip of wine So say it loud and let it ring We are all a part of everything The future, present and the past Fly on proud bird You're free at last. Attributed to: C. Daniels
My heart aches for all of you. We are all so truly fortunate to have had the privledge to be part of Brian's life. We have made great memories which we will cherish. Brian will always be in our hearts, and be deeply missed by all of us. Love to all of you.
We just read this and are stunned. We will never forget what a wonderful man Brian was and how much fun we had with him in Oliphant. Lu, Blake, Bryce and family our hearts ache for you and we are praying that our Lord hold you very close right now. We love you all, Jeff, Mary and boys
Lu, Brice and Blake, We are so keenly sorry for your loss; but we are so,so very happy that you had the wonderful experience of having Brian in your lives. He was very good at letting everyone in his life feel and know they were special to him. He never was too busy to say hello and really ask how you were doing. His genuine gift of caring for us all is the thing I will treasure the most from my friendship with Brian. I know you know you were blessed to have him for a husband and a dad. Hold onto that gratitude during this incredibly painful time. Here's my quote to sum up how I think of Brian in the last moments.....
"if my last words are not "I Love You"- you'll ken I did not have the time.
Just this one
ReplyDeleteDear Brian,
ReplyDeleteYou will always be the keeper of the fire for me. Quietly, lovingly always building and stoking the Oliphant community bonfire.
Peace to you brother,
Love,
Jill
Auntie Lu,
ReplyDeleteThe Light Of His Fire
Forever You'll See...
And Deep In Your Souls
His Love Forever Shall Be.
We Love You Guys!
Uncle Al, Lena, Doug & Dean
To all that love Brian...
ReplyDeleteBrian reminds us of those little things so precious in life. He shed such a special light here on earth. God is pleased as he holds everyone close tonight. Brian has helped us to warm our paths and clear a little more of our own trails to heaven.
We Love you all,
April and all the Herrett family
April and Alan have both said beautiful things about Brian. He deserves every heartfelt word that will be, and has been, written about him. What a HUGE empty place there will be for those of us who loved him ................ and I thank God for our wonderful memories. He was truly a very special man!!
ReplyDeleteWith tears in my eyes and apologies to poets everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAn Ode to Brian
"The Wildman rode with head held high across the inland sea
The islands, shores and family there, no greater love hath he
The souls he touched along his route rose higher by his wake
A helping hand, a loving hug, a wave out on the lake
In both calm and stormy waters, the Wildman plied his trade
Buildings stand, a testament, but no more than friendships made
A man both ‘Odd’ and ‘Wild’ they say, his navigation clear
Mark the course along the way, for all that you hold dear
He never strayed, he helped, he played, he rose to every task
Always there, with skill, and care, you never had to ask
A man who leads through actions and deeds, is rare upon this sea
This man, our friend, so quick to lend his strengths, his love completely
A storm appeared, so fast, so feared, like none he’d faced before
Others lead, in love and dread, the helm was his no more
The Wildman rides with head held high across the stormy skies
He steers again, he marks the route, to blue and calm he flies
I see his wake upon my lake, forget him I will never
The Wildman rides across the sky and in our hearts forever"
Jason here again. My sadness for this loss is deep. We at the Oddfellow's lodge spent a good amount of time tonight toasting to his memory and having lively, heartfelt tales told of Brian and his influence on us over the years. That he is central to so many stories in our lodge simply holds out for all to see his total lack of selfishness, right up to the end. I'll miss the sound of his guitar on jam nights, his voice in the lodge room, and his hospitality on our IOOF retreats up north. Thanks, Brian, for being my friend, and the friend of many.
ReplyDeleteYours, in F L & T
Jason Colavecchia, P.G. Valley City IOOF 117
There are so many things that could be said about Brian. A life well-lived, a man of integrity, a loving father, husband and son. Perhaps one of his greatest gifts was to be a friend to many. Two quotations come to mind as I digest this sad news, both from "It's a wonderful life,"
ReplyDeleteClarence: "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
Harry: "A toast to my big brother George, the richest man in town."
Sue Yeomans
We first met Brian through our kids sports. Since then our kids ended up on several sports teams together, and we came to know Brian and the Bottrills as very character people, with Brian always volunteering his efforts and time. We know that God only selects special people to perform and endure certain things, and Brian is one of those people. Brian your journey was more than admirable, it touched all of us in a way so moving that only God above could comprehend fully. Your suffering was not in vain, it served a divine purpose. We salute a giant of a man......
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget, Lu, the first time I remember meeting Brian. You two were first dating and we were all sitting around talking. He couldn't get you close enough to him. He had his arms around you, smelling your hair, commenting on your perfume and he didn't care at all who was watching. I hope you always feel his love and presence as strongly as you must have felt it that night. My heart is broken for you, the boys and all of Brian's friends and family. He was a light.
ReplyDeleteBrother Brian, next time we meet you can show me the way again...
ReplyDeleteOn the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world.
Attributed to: H.D. Thoreau
A brief candle; both ends burning
An endless mile; a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
We are all a part of everything
The future, present and the past
Fly on proud bird
You're free at last.
Attributed to: C. Daniels
Love ya bro
Ken Platt
Valley City I.O.O.F. #117
My heart aches for all of you. We are all so truly fortunate to have had the privledge to be part of Brian's life. We have made great memories which we will cherish. Brian will always be in our hearts, and be deeply missed by all of us. Love to all of you.
ReplyDeleteWe just read this and are stunned. We will never forget what a wonderful man Brian was and how much fun we had with him in Oliphant. Lu, Blake, Bryce and family our hearts ache for you and we are praying that our Lord hold you very close right now. We love you all, Jeff, Mary and boys
ReplyDeleteLu, Brice and Blake, We are so keenly sorry for your loss; but we are so,so very happy that you had the wonderful experience of having Brian in your lives. He was very good at letting everyone in his life feel and know they were special to him. He never was too busy to say hello and really ask how you were doing. His genuine gift of caring for us all is the thing I will treasure the most from my friendship with Brian. I know you know you were blessed to have him for a husband and a dad. Hold onto that gratitude during this incredibly painful time. Here's my quote to sum up how I think of Brian in the last moments.....
ReplyDelete"if my last words are not "I Love You"- you'll ken I did not have the time.
He loved you.
Bill,Nancy, Rowan and Kalan Post
Please accept our deepest sympathy,
ReplyDeleteThe Watts Clan