June 11, 1946 – February 12, 2024  

FINAL “FLAMINGLE” (Celebration of life)

The family wishes to invite you to drop in anytime on May 4, 2024, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at 1622 Hornby Ave. to share stories, laughs, and memories. At Dad’s request, dress casual, wear your gardening clothes, but please don’t show up like he would painting.

February 12, 2024, at 7:09 p.m., the punniest, best Dad ever, Brian Avery died surrounded by family. Dad was born to his parents Elmer and Louisa on June 11, 1946, in Broadview, Saskatchewan where he lived until age 3, where his father was a CPR telegraph operator. After that, his father became a railway station agent in Arnaud, Manitoba. Dad grew up with his older sister and younger brother in the various train stations where his father was CPR station agent. These stations were located in Arnaud, Manitoba; Crandall, Manitoba; Stockholm, Saskatchewan; Oak River, Manitoba and Carnduff, Saskatchewan.

Dad described himself as a polymath or jack of all trades, but master of none. Others would probably agree!

Dad had a just a few passions and hobbies (hahaha) including, but not limited to: gardening, indoor plants, photography including macro insects/flowers photography, digital art, computers/anything high tech, flamingos, family history/genealogy, bread making, cooking, canning/jam making, woodcarving/intarsia, arts/crafts, Canadian/Indigenous/world history/issues, reading(oh my gosh the books), potlucks, liverfests, travel, canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking, flight simulator, geology, biology, psychology, topographical maps, rock polishing, wildlife, his cat Sloopy, dog Chiqui, all things strange and sciency, and how can we forget the never ending well-researched facts that always kept us learning through his Facebook posts.

Somehow with all these passions and hobbies, Dad managed to have a 40-year telecommunications career, was a union leader across Canada, and an activist on various levels including his biggest accomplishment, which was securing clean indoor air for all of us in Kamloops, by working with medical professionals and others supporting the cause to create a bylaw to stop indoor smoking. (This was one of his proudest achievements. Some people loved him. Some people did not appreciate him for his involvement).

In Dad’s teen years, he developed a passion for electronics. Instead of doing the schoolwork he was supposed to be doing, he had an electronics book hiding in his school book during classes he had less interest in. His love of science began with the chemistry lab he made in his basement. Dad got to enjoy prairie life building a large granary with other teens, he painted a new implement dealer’s building inside and out, roofed a house with a friend, listened to broadcast band radio from distant stations and even built a short-wave radio from a kit. The stories Dad has shared are endless, and all can’t be shared, but what we do know was his love of his prairie life, and we are fortunate to have had the time to hear them.

Dad is survived by his favourite daughter Bevin and her fiancee Stevee, his equally favourite daughter Luana, (who was found under a rock in a swamp), her husband Damian, his step daughter Erin, grandchildren Bailey (James), Agatha, Reegan, Ethan, and his great-grandchildren Hunter and Jasper (who he so proudly told everyone he achieve the status of great-grandpa). He is also survived by his sister Joan and her kids Keith, Paul and Ian, many other family, and very dear friends that supported him until the end.

Dad was predeceased by his long time partner Dana.

Our family would like to thank all the amazing staff at Trinity hospice in Overlander, who delivered the most outstanding care and support to Dad in his final weeks (especially his coffee delivery). Also thanks to the staff on the GT7 floor at RIH including housekeeping, food services, patient porters, care aids, nurses, and doctors.

With the utmost respect and with special thanks to Dr. Trudeau and Scarlett.

The family gives a special thanks to Dad’s friend Owen for being a great friend, checking on Dad daily, keeping an eye on the front yard, keeping track of garbage day and setting out a chair on Dad’s walk when he could not longer complete it without a break (2 more neighbours did this as well because of Owen).

Thanks to Dad’s favourite store Art Knapp’s for the many years of making home away from home for the bearded man in the Tilley hat with the camera around his neck.

Since Dad’s final garden was planted to be donated to the food bank and wildfire evacuees, please think of these places when you have grown too much. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you take time to learn something new, plant a plant, enjoy nature, or do something that brings you joy, all of which Dad would do… and put a flamingo in your garden!

• Date : 2024-02-12
• Location : Kamloops