Brian John PETTIT

Brian’s long stubborn battle with cancer was enabled by the love and support of his wife Kathleen and his four sons Kevin (Caroline), Kelly (Harumi), Cameron and Ian. He leaves to mourn his four grandchildren, his sister Valerie (Albert) and various relatives in Australia. He was predeceased by his brother Trevor.

Brian’s strong independent streak developed through solitary teaching appointments in isolated communities in the Australian Outback and in northern B.C. He joined SD#68 in 1967 as the first Grade 7 teacher at Park Avenue and retired in 1997 after 23 years as an elementary school principal, the last eight also being at Park Avenue. He was energetic, intuitive and capable; a well-respected leader in those communities he served. He valued mateship and enjoyed the company of many colleagues.

For three decades, Brian and a friend entertained in the local bars as The Colonials, projecting spontaneous humour and forming communions with audiences.

In 1984, Brian earned a Master’s degree in Canadian Nationalism. Through research connections and a visit to the national archives he became an authority on Nanaimo’s Air-Vice Marshall Raymond Collishaw, always believing the city could have done more to celebrate fighter pilot’s career. As President of the Nanaimo Historical Society, he secured the B.C. Community Achievement Award for Ted Barsby and hoped more deserving local candidates would follow. His interest in history spread to a small literary flutter resulting in the writing and publishing of nine novels on his retirement.

Brian was a person of high moral integrity. His life was well lived and he will be missed by many.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Calvin and the dedicated nursing staff and Hospice Volunteers at NRGH as well as the Home and Community Care Staff for the thoughtful and unwavering support provided to us in recent weeks.

A Celebration of Brian’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, any donations in Brian’s memory should be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 150-6450 Roberts Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 4E1 www.jdrf.ca