Brian Christopher Powell

Brian Powell 

Brian was born in Middlesex, England and was the youngest of three boys.  He was the comedian of the family from Day 1.  His parents, Harold and Mabel, immigrated to Canada with their sons,  Robert, Keith and Brian in 1954 and built their home in East Vancouver.  Brian lived through the loss of each of these beloved family members, along with his stepfather Ian, and most recently, his mother Mabel, who passed away in 2020 at the grand age of 101 years.  

Brian’s family was very important to him.  Brian and Diane recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, having been together since their teen years, and married at age 23.  Along with his wife, he leaves behind his son Rob, who has continued in his father’s  footsteps as a Vancouver Firefighter, Rob’s wife Catherine, and their son, Rowan; and his daughter Kristy, her husband Mike Mui, a Burnaby Firefighter and their children Emma and Tanner.  His grandchildren knew him as “Gramps”, and the family all cherish many memories and traditions that he has left behind, such as camping yearly at Nicola Lake, fishing and celebrating Robbie Burns Day. 

Brian’s  life-long career began after completing a 4-year post-secondary apprenticeship in steel fabrication, after which he promptly applied to the Vancouver Fire Department.  Throughout his 35-year career, ‘Snags’ became well known and well loved as a quick-witted prankster, a supportive mentor and legendary Battalion Chief, and the life of any party.  

Brian’s favourite hobbies included camping, fishing, golfing, having the best plus/minus at hockey, and being a drummer in a pipe band.  He played in many different pipe bands, the most recent being the Vancouver Police Pipe Band for almost 16 years.  Through the band, he had many amazing experiences including traveling the world, proudly playing at multiple local events and being honored with the prestigious Freedom of the City of Vancouver Award.  Another highlight of Brian’s  life was performing with the VPPB for the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. He was still an active drummer, practicing with the band for their most recent trip to Halifax, when he drove himself to Royal Columbian Hospital on April 5th 2022.  Brian had just celebrated his 74th Birthday on March 28th with his entire family. We will cherish that memory forever.  

The ‘Silver Fox’ lived most of his life in Vancouver and Coquitlam, and made many friends throughout the years.  He was immediately memorable to everyone he met; always the entertainer, he could make anyone laugh within minutes of meeting them, and charm them with his genuine personality or just a flash of those ‘baby blues’.

A highlight of Brian’s retirement was driving across Canada with his Big Foot trailer.  He even took it to Newfoundland where he became an honorary Newfie by kissing a cod !  He also enjoyed taking his standard schnauzer, Reeba (spelled backwards “a beer”) for her daily walk around Como Lake in Coquitlam. They would often stop to sit on a bench for a quick rest while they watched people fishing.

Brian passed away peacefully at Royal Columbian Hospital on May 11, 2022 after fighting lung cancer for almost four years.  His wife Diane , son Robbie,  and daughter Kristy were by his side.  We wish he could be here to watch his grandchildren grow up and make him proud.  We hope his young grandchildren will remember their Gramps.