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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
EADY, Brian Donald - It is with broken hearts that we announce the death of Brian Eady, our incredible husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother, on January 13, 2021. Brian is survived by his loving family which includes his wife of 52 years, Jackie (Neal) Eady, his daughters Julie Rao (Vik), and Susie Bartelt (Dirk) and grandchildren Jordan Rao, Jaimie Rao and Sam Bartelt. He will also be missed by his brother, Clarke (Ginnie), sister-in-law Judy Neal, nephews Derek Neal and Brydon, and nieces Kirby and Kendal. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Ken and Dot (Dalgleish) Eady.
Always quick with a smile and a helping hand, Brian was a kind and loyal friend. He had an infectious laugh and gave the best hugs. He was a humble, caring man who had little room for pomp or pretense – the embodiment of what it means to be both down-to-earth as well as a true gentleman. He was passionate about the Leafs, the Packers, Springsteen, Dire Straits, martinis, a good single malt, travel, golf and a warm Timmy’s dark roast.
Brian will most be remembered as a family man. He loved sing-alongs around the campfire, tucking in his kids and grandkids with bedtime stories and playing games at the cottage. He was there for Julie and Susie throughout their various ups and downs in life and the girls knew that they could always count on their dad. Brian loved and adored Jackie with all that he had. They were each other’s best friend and in each other, they found a steadfast and abiding love.
Brian’s education and chosen career path in life paved the way for him and his family to see much of the world. His early school days were spent at KLCVI in Kirkland Lake. His father’s work would later take the family to North Bay, where Brian would meet his future bride at Chippewa High School. When not on the football field at Western, Brian could be found traveling back and forth to Queen’s to be with Jackie.
After marriage, Brian and his family lived in Dartmouth for many years, during which time he and Jackie gave leadership on Worldwide Marriage Encounter and directed the United Church’s Camp Kidston. While in Dartmouth, some of Brian’s favourite things included tobogganing, pranks, charades, and touch football games at Shubie with the gang.
Serving his country as a military pilot, Brian flew trackers from HMCS BONAVENTURE, Canada’s aircraft carrier, as well as Sea King helicopters. His military career found him and family traveling the world. In Montgomery, Alabama, where he attended the USAF Staff College, Brian earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Auburn University. For three years, Brian worked in Washington D.C. where he served with the US Navy as a Project Officer on the LAMP Mark III aircraft.
Brian spoke fondly of his time with the US Navy Command College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he studied as the Canadian representative amongst over 30 other international officers. Brian and family were fortunate to foster many lifelong friendships during this time as they travelled, entertained and embraced new cultures.
Following his return to Nova Scotia, Brian was promoted to Lt. Colonel and became the Commanding Officer of HS443. The helicopter squadron moved from Shearwater, NS to Pat Bay, BC. Brian enjoyed mentoring the men and women who served with 443 on both the east and west coasts. Brian’s final posting outside of Canada was to teach at the Royal Air Force Staff College in Berkshire, UK. He and Jackie were pleased to get to know better their future son-in-law, Vik, who was completing a masters degree nearby, at the London School of Economics. Returning to Nova Scotia, Brian worked in the Air Reserve, where after five years he retired to Pigott Lake.
Brian was truly happiest at the lake, enjoying a swim or a paddle, manning the BBQ or simply sitting on the dock with Jackie, taking in a sunset or the night stars. Building the dock with his son-in-law Vik was a special highlight for him and it was a source of pride for Brian that the Eady family never missed a summer on Pigott. In recent years, Brian and family were very grateful to his ROMEO pals for helping to ease the burden of tasks such as lawn maintenance or putting in and taking out the dock. When Brian and Jackie made the tough decision to sell the cottage in order to move closer to hospitals, his ROMEO pals were right there again doing the heavy lifting. Even after moving to the city, Brian and Jackie were able to spend a couple of weeks each summer back at the cottage, thanks to the kindness of its new owners. Brian was grateful for those last sunshine and laughter-filled few days he spent with Jackie, Julie, Susie, Vik, Dirk, Jordan, Jaimie and Sam at his beloved Pigott Lake.
Brian managed his illness with strength, grace, and a remarkably positive attitude. During his battle with MDS and AML, a bright spot for him was receiving words of encouragement from his friends and family via text, phone, and Facebook. It was beautiful to see his smile as he read the many heartfelt messages expressing how much he meant to so many people.
Brian spent his final days being cared for in the Hematology Unit 8A at the VG. There, he received the most compassionate, kind, and dignified care that one could hope for. In the Medical Day Unit, where Brian received his countless transfusions, he found gentle kindness and even a willingness to indulge his corny jokes. We are eternally grateful to both teams for their tireless efforts in caring for Brian.
A private cremation has already taken place and a Celebration of Life will follow at Pigott Lake, when covid allows. It was Brian’s wish that any donations in his memory be made to the Hematology Department via The QEII Foundation (qe2foundation.ca) or to Canadian Blood Services (blood.ca).
High
Flight
Oh!
I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
Up,
up the long, delirious, burning blue
Ships served in:
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