Brandon Derek Thomas

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brandon Derek Thomas of Fall River. Born in London, Ont., June 7, 1996 he fought a long and courageous battle with cancer (osteosarcoma). He is survived by his mom, Maureen Chamberlain; his dad, Derek Thomas; his brother, Jonathan (Jenna); his half-sister, Amy and his niece, Brooklyn. He was predeceased by his sister, Vanessa; and his grandfather, Lawrence Chamberlain; also surviving are grandparents, Margaret and Graham Windsor; Joan and Graham Thomas, Joyce and Blaine Ellis.

Brandon attended Ash Lee Jefferson School, Georges P. Vanier Junior High School and graduated from

Lockview High School in 2014. In his early years, Brandon struggled with the academic side of school but, even then, he was a fighter – Brandon committed himself to improving his grades and graduated with honors from high school. He then went on to study Business Management at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

Although he was diagnosed at the end of his first year in the program, Brandon persevered and, with the help of his teachers, graduated in 2017. While Brandon’s illness prevented him from attending convocation, those remembering him will always be grateful for the private ceremony arranged by NSCC for Brandon, his friends and family. Throughout his academic journey, Brandon learned patience, discipline and dedication. Brandon was interested in pursuing a career in policing. After cancer took his left leg, he changed his focus to business and expressed interest in working in his dad's business.

Brandon’s know-how when it came to overcoming obstacles with determination and grace did not begin and end with academia. After struggling with his weight at an early age and seeing his big brother excel in football, Brandon aspired to lose weight and make his high school football team. He committed himself to moving faster, becoming stronger, and leading a healthy lifestyle – ultimately, becoming a go-to source of knowledge for friends and family looking to improve their diets or gym routines.

These early challenges molded Brandon into the empathetic and determined young man he became.

To have spent time with Brandon during his battle with cancer was to know that commitment, perseverance, patience, discipline and dedication were all tools that Brandon employed fearlessly during the final 3 years of his short life. That, and, he never, ever took himself too seriously and always maintained his impeccable sense of humour.

Brandon was the joker of any group he found himself in, bringing a lighthearted attitude to everything he did. As a young adult, Brandon was a budding foodie – with favourites including sushi, gourmet pizza, and trying anything new. When Brandon had a drink, he enjoyed cider – No Boats on Sundays was his favourite – and those close to him will always be reminded of him when they see the label. Brandon adored his Boston terrier, Jeffrey, and hitting the gym with his big brother, Jonathan. He loved going to the movies with family and friends.

He loved sci-fi and action movies. You would often catch Brandon watching documentaries, especially animal planet. He had a natural curiosity about animals and nature. Brandon’s fun and infectious spirit ensured that he was almost always surrounded by friends. Between his fun-loving nature, gorgeous smile, good looks and special charm, Brandon never had trouble getting a date.

Brandon had many wonderful trips to Riviera Maya, Mexico, starting when he was around 12. He maintained his routine of daily workouts at the gym and enjoyed many family excursions. On a memorable trip when he was 16, he learned to party Mexican style with tequila slammers and on stage Mexican hat dancing. He really enjoyed Mexico alot and meeting new people at the resort.

Brandon was always up for an adventure and took some of his most adventurous trips while battling cancer. In 2017, Brandon visited California and Hawaii with his father after recovering from his second cancer recurrence.

As a result of treatment, Brandon had lost his left leg to cancer and learned to walk with a prosthetic prior to the trip. In California, Brandon and his dad rented a mustang convertible and drove the Pacific Coast Highway. Brandon was an incredible co-pilot to his father, navigating closed roads, washed out highways and more in order to achieve their goal of getting to Big Sur – no matter what. In Hawaii, Brandon attended a physically-intensive cancer survivors camp for young adults, where he was the only attendee with a prosthetic or physical challenge. At Camp Koru, he learned to surf and was an incredible source of inspiration for his campmates. All participants were given camp nicknames and Brandons was NEMO. Brandon’s peers banded together to help him complete a demanding hike through the bamboo rainforest. Brandon’s sheer will to achieve and ability to inspire others again shone through. In 2017, Brandon also travelled on his own to visit friends in Calgary, where he got the opportunity visit Lake Louise and more.

As evidenced by these stories, Brandon inspired many during his illness. His impact extends far beyond his circle of friends and family. Brandon shared the story of his fight against cancer through Sick Boy Podcast (sickboypodcast.com) – a podcast designed to breakdown the stigmas associated with illness and disease – which resulted in people from all over the world looking to him as a source of motivation during dark, difficult times. Brandon found deep, meaningful friendships through the Sick Boy network, again connecting and inspiring other young adults, just as he did at the camp in Hawaii. Brandon was very candid about the challenges he had to overcome and did so with his wonderful sense of humor.

His funeral services will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Thursday, May 17th, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, online donations: https://iwkfoundation.org/donate Select Make a memorial or Tribute and enter Brandon Thomas. Donation can also be made over the phone by calling the IWK Health Centre Foundation at 902-470-8085. Memorial cards will also be available at the funeral

home. The funds raised will be used to renovate the family room on the 6 link Oncology/Hematology floor. The room is currently only set up for extra sleeping accommodations for out of town families.The renovation would allow for more both sleeping and family gathering during a crisis.