Brent William Walsh

To Brent William Walsh, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Brent, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Brent really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Brent was born on March 23, 1968 in Norris Point, Newfoundland. His parents were Barbara Hynes (Walsh) and Walter Shears. Brent was raised by his Nan, Ann Walsh, until she passed. Marie and Wayne Hynes were always a strong influence and even more when they took over the parenting when his Nan passed during his adolescents. When he was much younger, all his aunts had a role in raising him and providing him love. It took a “village” to raise this loving man. As a child, Brent had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention and love.

Always a good playmate, Brent was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Brent managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Brent was raised with eight siblings. He had four brothers, Mark, Jamie, Sterling and Jamie, and four sisters, Angie, Amanda, Vanessa and Elizabeth. Each having a valuable influence on who he was and each relationship being special and different.

All of Brent's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Brent experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in hockey, volleyball and baseball. In his spare time he liked to build things, fish, explore and spend time with family and friends.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Brent was a “class act” who was always kind and willing to help. Brent simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Brent, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience: since experience was Brent's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Brent graduated from Holland's Memorial in Norris Point, Newfoundland in 1989. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favourite classes and teachers. His favourite class in high school was Shop and Phys Ed. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Zachery Sackery. He was always taking on special project like building a Christmas float and coaching school teams. He also attended college in Corner Brook, taking a Linesman course.

Brent never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Brent to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Brent was always right at home playing host among his friends. Brent utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were

John Kennedy, Dion Mackenzie, Darren Mackenzie, Darren Laing, Michael Jenniex, Bryon White and so many more. Later in life, he became friends with his entire community and everyone he met loved him.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Brent very easy to approach. Brent met Cathy Bugden in 1982 and dated off and on during their summers in Newfoundland. They lost contact in their 20’s but reconnected in 2012. They both wished they didn’t lose those years in between however they would say “that isn’t our story”. The love was intense, hard and true. They exchanged wedding vows at home in Whitby, Ontario in 2018. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage. Brent always told Cathy he loved her everyday and valued the relationship. Brent and Cathy never said “good bye” when they talked on the phone or started their day, instead it was “see you later”. Good byes were not allowed in their relationship as they would be together until the end.

Perhaps the reason Brent related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Brent was blessed with five children, he had two sons, Jesse and Lukas, and three daughters, Paige, Rachael and Rilynn. He was also blessed with one grandson, Brendan. Brent had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Brent's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. Brent enjoyed spending time with his family, usually outside, with music on while sitting by the fire. He

loved just talking with the children about what was going on in their life and sharing a laugh at the end of the day.

At work, as in life, Brent was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Brent liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Brent was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Brent's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Brent as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was as a Carpenter/Renovator. He also did various jobs including postman and trade work but the last twenty years as an independent contractor. All of his customers, who always became his friends, were greeted with a morning smile and “Good Morning Love”.

Brent enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Brent liked creating and making things. He was always building something, from porch swings to furniture. Brent spent most of his free time in the garage keeping busy doing something while enjoying friends that would pop in and share a beer and a story.

Brent felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Brent loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Brent relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Brent never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Brent played volleyball and baseball. In his college years, Brent continued to stay

active by playing hockey. Brent was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favourite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list was hockey - he was a big Toronto Maple Leaf fan.

Favorite vacations included visits back home in Newfoundland to his home he and Cathy purchased in 2016. They worked on the home during various trips and he was proud of the work they did to make it a beautiful place to entertain friends. Family vacations, no matter where, were what Brent enjoyed as he loved spending time with his wife and children. From the cottage they rented a few times, two trips to Quebec and numerous camping trips which always turned into touring the area to check out the sights. A trip to Orlando, Florida in May 2018 was another first he enjoyed, although too hot for his liking.

Brent was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. He loved his dogs, Lexie and Piper. Brent was an early riser, as he loved to have a coffee in his backyard enjoying the quiet before he started his busy day. Lexie and Piper were always by his side, as they knew treats were always in his pocket and they would be spoiled spending this quiet time with him.

Brent passed away on October 19, 2018 at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, Ontario after a brief, courageous battle with Colon Cancer. He is survived by his wife Cathy, his children Jesse, Paige, Rachael, Lukas and Rilynn, grandson Brendan, sisters, Angie, Vanessa and Amanda and his brothers Mark, Jamie and Jamie. Brent was laid to rest with his grandmother/guardian, Ann Walsh in Norris Point, Newfoundland.

Brent brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Brent William Walsh lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile and always a story.

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WALSH, Brent William

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Lakeridge Health – Oshawa on Friday, October 19th, 2018, in his 51st year. Dearly beloved husband of Cathy. Loving Dad of Jesse, Paige, Rachael, Lukas and Rilynn. Cherished Poppy to Brendan. Dear son of the late Barbara Hynes (nee Walsh) and Walter Shears: Raised and cherished “son” of Marie and Wayne Hynes. Survived by siblings Angie Payne (Clinton), Mark Hynes (Tanya), Jamie Caines (Dawn), Amanda LeRoy (Rob), Vanessa Hynes-Reid (Gord), Jamie Hynes, Sterling Shears and Elizabeth Hoskins. Will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, mother-in-law Cora Lee Bugden (Joanne), father-in-law Gordon Bugden (Cavell), brother-in-law Jeff Bugden (Vanessa), aunts, uncles and his numerous friends. Brent will be remembered for his love of everyone and everything, his passion for life, his amazing carpentry skills and his love and commitment to family. Cathy and family would like to Thank the family, friends and the Community of Whitby Shores for their ongoing support during his difficult and brief battle with Colon Cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Norris Point Community Hall on Main Street in Norris Point Newfoundland on Saturday, July 6th, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be on Sunday, July 7th, 2019 at the Holy Spirit Parish Cemetery in Norris Point, Newfoundland were he will be laid to rest with his grandmother, Ann Walsh. Arrangements entrusted to OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West, (905-721-1234). Online condolences may be made at www.oshawafuneralhome.com.

Until we meet again “My Love”