It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Merryman Brian at the age of 74 in Ottawa on January 25, 2025.He was born on February 15, 1950 to parents Joseph Merryman Brian and Ruth Elizabeth Brian (Schofield) in Montreal, Quebec.
For over 30 years, James worked in the educational field with both children and adults. He spent 12 years in Germany studying philosophy and educational methods and has diplomas in Rudolf Steiner special education and Waldorf teaching. After returning to Canada he co-founded and worked at Parsifal School in Ottawa. In 2003, he was a mentor and trainer at the French public Waldorf school, Trille des Bois in Ottawa. For more than 10 years he trained indigenous teachers, administrators and educators in Waldorf methods, and was the founder and President of the Douglas Cardinal Foundation for Indigenous Waldorf Education. He later became the Executive Director of Rudolf Steiner College Canada and retired in January 2024. James was a lifelong learner and worked with hundreds of individuals, helping them unleash and develop their potential.
James is survived by his dear friend Marie France Bertrand and her family, his siblings Mary Brian, David Brian, (Launny), Susan Rea (Darrell) and his nieces and nephews Tara, Paul, Jules, Gracie, Sophie, Jamie, Christina and his great-nephew Kai.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Ruth Brian.
Funeral services will be held on February 13, 2025 at 10:00 am and condolences can be offered as of 9:30 am at Racine, Robert & Gauthier Funeral Home at 180 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1L 1B4.
Donations in memory of James can be made to: Douglas Cardinal Foundation for Indigenous Waldorf Education at indigenouswaldorf.ca
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