Brian was a gregarious and friendly force on the staff of River East Collegiate. He was involved in the drama activities and could himself be dramatic, reflective and engaging. He wove humour and insight throughout his work and the relationships he cultivated there. I last ran into him at Salisbury House where he described his life in the West End and the helping role he was endeavouring to play with neighbours in that community. Rest well.   Former colleague- B.Esselmont

Brian was a truly impressive 1960s Silver Heights Collegiate Legend. He was a well-liked, popular, fun, funny, entertaining, empathetic, benevolent teacher with a passionate love of The Arts. There are members of the Art Club who will remember meeting him at the Legislature on a Sunday to do sketching! Memorably, he also used his artist skills to illustrate Robert Frost's "Birches" and "The Road Not Taken" on the classroom chalkboard. In first year u, I returned to see him for a first response to my early poetry. He always took a kindly interest in the lives of his former students. Brian was the major influence in my career choice; I became an Edmonton English teacher and, like him, a lover of The Arts. Fortunately, we reconnected in Edmonton at the symphony (he loved classical) in the early 2000s and at the 2007 SHCI reunion, where he was surrounded by many of former students. We kept in touch by phone after that until this year and I was very lucky to get to know and appreciate him even more! As always, he was a funny storyteller, a talented performer, a consummate entertainer, a great guy, and a wonderful wit. Brian was still quite sociable in his 80s, taking an interest in others and their life-stories. He really liked to get out for walks and movies, and--as a lover of Drama, he acted enthusiastically with the Shoestring Players. I especially enjoyed chatting with him and engaging with his similar artsy sensibility; I loved it whenever he broke into a 40s or 50s tune! Brian brightened many people's lives and gave much pleasure to those who knew him well. He shall be long remembered with deep fondness and affection. A Legend, indeed. My sincere condolences to his family. (ps/ Thank you for sharing Brian with the rest of us.)
- Posted by: Richard Davies (former SHCI student, 1965-66) 

I met Brian in my first year of teaching at Silver Heights Collegiate. I knew him as an excellent English teacher, very knowledgeable and above all, truly caring about his students, He was kind and supportive of me in my first years of teaching English, and especially in my extra-curricular music and drama assignment.  After leaving Silver Heights,  we often met at Winnipeg music events. Years later, in 2008, it was at a MCO concert that Brian encouraged me to join Shoestring Players, of which he was a member. I did, and I am forever grateful to him for bringing Shoestring into my life. 
           Brian was active in Shoestring  from 1977 to 2010.  In 1978 he directed an adaptation of “Tell Me Yes, Tell Me No” by Alice Munro and in 1982, “Was He Anyone?” by N.F. Simpson. Over the decades, Brian brought his sonorous voice to many Shoestring productions: in 1979 “Tail of Fire” by T.B. Morris, in 1980 “In Her Tongue” by Florence Rice-Leach, in 1988 “Gosforth’s Fête” by Alan Ayckbourn, in 2007 “The Rivals” by Richard Sheridan, in 2008 “The Dining Room” by A.L. Gurney, in 2009 “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen (adaption by Miller), in 2010 “The After-Dinner Joke” by Caryl Churchill, and “Whose Life Is It, Anyway?” by Brian Clark, where I had the great honour of directing him! 
        Brian continued to support Shoestring  after  he retired from the stage.  Until recently, he called me regularly to ask after me and others in the group. 
         I will miss him so much - his humour,  his repertoire of opera arias, his extensive knowledge of literature, his wisdom and his great kindness. He remains an important figure in my life. 
        My sincere condolences to his family. 


Mr. Kells  was my English teacher in the 80’s. He was a huge influence for me. I’m now an English teacher and his style of teaching has inspired me so much.  I remember him often and with great fondness. 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Brian Thomas Albert Kells

8 avril 1936 – 16 juin 2022

Thomson In The Park Funeral Home and Cemetery

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