BROWN, GEOFFREY, late of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away on September 20 at the age of 85. Predeceased by his parents Doris and Maurice Brown and beloved wife, Mina (Driscoll), he is survived by his wife of 36 years, Margaret, children Jeff, Leslie, Deirdre, Tim, Kim, Joshua, Ted, Greg; grandchildren Brian, Meagan, Maddison, Sarah, Geoffrey, Nicholas, Tristan, Judy, Beatrix, Spencer, Dom, and Bryan; great grandchildren Paisley and Brantley. Also surviving him are four sisters: Doryce Nichols, Kathy (MacIver) Hanna, Carol Gribben, Robin Brown, and two brothers, Peter and Bill. Geoff said his fondest memories were of being with his children and grandchildren. He was so proud of the fine people they are.
Geoff was a charismatic man of exceptional grace, charm, intelligence, capability, and commitment. His focus was always on doing what he could to help his family, church, and community, and he did so with faultless dedication, without complaint, and with boundless creativity whether designing and building around his home, doing committee work, creating (never buying) a most unique birthday card, making a sign, mounting a Christmas or Hallowe’en display, writing a story or letter, making a video, or allowing himself time at his beloved piano and keyboard.
His interest in music and piano playing was a passion that was sparked quite incidentally at age 12. By the age of 17 Geoff was regularly playing the organ at the church on the Air Force base where he lived. Thereafter, wherever Geoff was, there was a piano. His local music involvement was varied and extensive—playing with the Moonlighters Big Band, and The Clearbrook (USA) Connection Dixieland band, at Ivana’s Tea House in downtown Abbotsford, in Maplewood and MSA Manors, Holmberg House, and in the atrium at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre. The latter was possible because, convinced that beautiful music would be emotionally supportive in the hospital environment, Geoff launched his personal letter writing campaign to local service clubs. As a result of that effort, The Clearbrook Kiwanis Club donated the piano that is now in place. Ever a detail man, and rigorous about the quality of sound, Geoff then ensured that a donation fund would be in place so that the piano would be tuned regularly.
Geoff was so happy to have been able to play that instrument again for an hour on August 25 when the staff from the Abbotsford Hospital Palliative Complex Care Unit arranged for him, even as a patient, to be taken to the atrium. Our family extends truly heartfelt appreciation to all those who took the time to facilitate that event.
For many years Geoff played the organ or piano, and sang (while insisting he was NOT a singer) in the choir at Calvin Church, as he had done in Kamloops at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian. Happily, even as his health failed, he was able to play his piano and did so until the day before his death, even modestly marvelling that morning at his playing of a selection by Brahms while recognizing that his other physical and mental capabilities were sometimes faltering.
Always ready to volunteer in the community, and greatly interested in civic affairs, Geoff worked for local improvement by establishing a Neighbourhood Action Group, and for the larger good with Abbotsford Lions and Rotary Clubs, and the Health Advisory Board. He received the Rotary Paul Harris award in recognition of his leadership with the Neighbourhood Action Group. For twenty years he served as a Board member, then Board president with the Maplewood Senior Care Society, and for the last several years, on the Abbotsford Board of Variance. He ran in elections for City Council and School Board. He was known to contact the Mayor’s office whenever he saw that some situation needed city attention, and was advocating for traffic calming measures in his neighbourhood even two weeks before he passed.
From an early age Geoff was interested in engineering, mechanics, ham radio, and
all things technical. He was always building, inventing, creating, envisioning. He devoted many hours to filming, and video and audio recordings. Our family is fortunate in having an extensive record of family history because Geoff interviewed his parents about their own lives and heritage. He began his fascination with photography by developing photos in a hand-constructed basement darkroom; he later keenly embraced digital technology, and using a minimum of two editing computers, produced many (always creatively amusing) family videos. He precisely captured and edited video and audio recordings of Gilbert and Sullivan shows put on by Fraser Valley Stage Society—of which he, of course, was a cast member, as well being on the backstage construction crew.
Perceiving an opportunity that if not grasped would be forever lost, he spent many hours extensively interviewing and videoing several Abbotsford community leaders including five previous Abbotsford mayors. He would often tour with them by car as each ex-mayor recalled the early years of Abbotsford and spoke of his own administration. With typical modesty, without fanfare, Geoff donated this historically priceless work to the City Archives.
Geoff’s early career was with the Canadian Air Force in France where, even in that regulated setting, his creativity could not be contained, and ever the entertainer, he produced and directed many skits with his fellow airmen under the general title of the Royal Canadian Air Farce. Using his best “radio voice” he also produced his own jazz and commentary radio show on the base. It was also at that time that he developed his ability to tell the family-famous “Backward Stories”, as exemplified by “Back and the Jeanstalk”.
Upon his return to Canada, Geoff embarked on an extensive and varied career in industrial appraisal, estimating, construction management, Co-Op Housing development, and even commercial sign design and painting. But, always, always, he played the piano, ever improvising, experimenting, learning, and essentially finding it impossible not to create yet another variation on a musical theme or harmony. Geoff also took great pleasure in woodworking, home design and maintenance, reading history, writing, drawing, entertaining friends, hosting parties, and barbecuing. The day was never long enough!
All of these endeavours were shared with Margaret. Her love, support and companionship was cherished by him and was a source of great comfort and joy until the end.
Geoff testified to his strong belief in Jesus, His teachings, and the importance of His message to “Love one another as I have loved you”. He left this life in peace while the rest of us are left to marvel at, and be thankful for, the man he was, and the love, talent, and years he shared with us.
A service of remembrance will take place on Saturday, October 3, 11 a.m. at Calvin Presbyterian Church. Covid precautions force attendance to be by invitation only. Live streaming will be available on YouTube. Please see the Henderson Funeral website for further details. At some point in the future, when it is healthy to do so, a celebration of Geoff’s life will be held at the family home.
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