Brian Vincent Sparkes

Brian Vincent Sparkes died surrounded by family on February 2, 2022, after a nonstop argument with Alzheimer’s. Catherine and Holger with Alex, Philip and Mark; Martin and Kim with Patrick, Logan, and Morgan, Ian and Maria with Brett, Carter, and Amy; and Laurinda with Corey, Samantha, and Devon all mourn his passing but find peace knowing that he is now with Mom who died in 2020. It’s the end of an era.

Brian was born June 10, 1934, in Harrow to Mary Agnes and Willam Arthur Sparkes as the first of five siblings Michael, Vilma, Tina, and Sanchia. Dad filled his 87½ years with everything related to agriculture. Despite a non-farming background (his father was a carpet salesman when he wasn’t in the war), Dad was determined to farm and explore. He left home at 14 for Warrenstown, Ireland to attend the Salesian Agricultural College, followed by volunteering for National Service with the Royal Air Force. He was sent to RAF Habbabanyia in Iraq to repair airplanes, but soon found himself managing a local farm supplying the base with milk. Two trips to Canada were all farming and ranching related and included a cycle trip from Chilliwack to Montreal on the way back to the UK for his brother’s wedding. Luckily for all of us, he took a trip to Europe with a friend and two strangers,one of them being our Mom.

Dad adored Mom; she could do no wrong and he was her greatest protector. He convinced her to settle in Canada and they returned in 1966. Dad worked a variety of farming jobs before buying the Beaton place on Kamp Road he named Bear Farm. He liked his solitude and said “It wasn’t far enough away from town, but it would do.” Over the years Dad cleared land and grew peas, corn, wheat, barley and beans. He also raised beef and was a firm believer in the auction system. He never purchased anything he could build or try to build himself and hammered thousands of nails by hand over his lifetime, along with hand digging waterlines, pouring tonnes of concrete and planting and looking after a spectacular garden.

A mere mention of a wish for a childhood toy had Dad building swing sets and a “decapitator” for each of our families which was fun and as dangerous as it sounds. He was passionate about calves, horses, and dogs, but never cats. His favourite pastime was to read and to argue and not necessarily in that order. We all recall the long “discussions” he had with Mom between the first course and dessert on Sundays - often intiated by the Sunday sermon. When grandchildren came along Dad’s patience and love had him pacing the pond with colicky infants, reading aloud whenever a book was dropped in his lap, and snuggling with a sleeping child in his chair. Dad was amazing and we miss him.

The funeral will be held on February 18 and due to Covid restrictions will be by invitation only. However, a celebration of life will be held at the Agricultural Hall at 6800 Pioneer Avenue in Agassiz at 3 PM the same day and all are welcome, but please bring a mask. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a small donation to the Agricultural Society to be used for a future Agriculture related award or bursary.