Brian Heslington

He is predeceased by his wife Margaret. Devoted father to Mike, Roger and his wife Pamela and to Tony. Cherished granddad to Sara. Brian will be fondly remembered by his family and friends.

As a child, I was adopted away from troubled parents. In my new home, I was chased by ducks for their dinner, went deep into the earth in Coalpit Heath, and when I returned, I was told to have a bath. I dodged a flying pencil during the war. I was mischievous, sneaking to see an unexploded bomb, and in the Bristol yard, I played teeter-totter on an Me 262. Of course, I rode my bicycle as far as the eye could see.

I joined the Air Force after the war and grew disciplined, bashed instruments, impressed with my running, and flew in the mighty Lancaster.

I rolled and pitched across the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary for new fortune and to rejoin my adoptive parents. I was soon joined by my Margaret, who was to be my beloved wife.

Soon followed four boys, three of whom were able to join us on our way. With the two oldest, we drove across Canada, and later with the youngest to the Smithsonian.

My family was visited by a gentleman from the United States who gave us Yankee caps, baseball bats, and gloves. This may have had something to do with my then-employer and a U2 spy plane, but we will never know for sure.

I volunteered to help the needy, not the greedy, with the Peel Halton Soccer Association and was later honored to join the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame.

In time came Pamela, my second son’s wife, who blessed our family in many ways, including a granddaughter, Sara, whom I welcomed with a wink and from whom I learned new ways to smile.

Everything was not always easy, and we did our best, as surely you do too.

My wife suffered through the pains of mental health, but I was a man of my word. When I last spoke to my Margaret, now many years ago, I reminded her I had kept my promise to never leave her side.

I was objective and fair; when my young boys had done wrong, I could tell them they were wrong without ever letting them think I was not on their side.

And now I am set free.

Do not mourn for me, as I was given the great gift of life. Be thankful and loving to all who come your way, and do not waste a single day!

Finally, thanks to everyone who was part of my life, especially my family and those who so generously continue to care for them.