Husband for 44 years of Liz (Campbell), and exceptionally wonderful father of Catherine and Suzy (MacLean), Brian Crocker was also delighted to be grandfather to Campbell Andrew MacLean. His passing is mourned by son-in-law Jesse MacLean and all of his nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends, both near and far. He was the steady and gentle giant of the family and a kind and loving friend.
Brian grew up in Brampton, Ontario and spent the summers of his youth paddling throughout Northern Ontario. An English major at Dalhousie University, he taught High School in Ontario before returning to Halifax and the Dalhousie Law School to become a lawyer.
Brian co-founded Boyne, Crocker and Jones (now Boyne Clarke) in Dartmouth in the early 70’s. He taught at the law school and then, for decades, he advised Presidents of Dalhousie University, eventually becoming University Secretary and Legal Counsel. He also served as President of the Canadian Association of University Solicitors and was appointed Queen’s Counsel, Province of Nova Scotia in 1988. While very proud of this honour, he also enjoyed his family’s notion that “QC” stood for “Quite Cute”.
Brian and Liz Crocker, along with Ann Connor Brimer, co-founded Woozles in 1978, which has received various awards and is now the oldest children’s bookstore in Canada. Daughter Suzy MacLean now manages the business.
His retirement from Dalhousie in 2002 allowed him to pursue a number of life long passions, including the theatre, golf, singing and nature. In his twenties, Brian often acted and also wrote a number of plays, several of which were successfully produced. He sat on the Board of Neptune Theatre and, post-retirement, he chaired the Board of the Chester Playhouse. As an active member of the Chester Drama Society, he rekindled his theatrical career in roles such as the Dancing Cactus, the Swaggering Cowboy, Frankenstein, and, most recently, as Lord Downton of Chester. He encouraged daughters Catherine and Suzy in the pursuit of their theatrical ambitions and was proud of their accomplishments. He sang with the Chebucto Community Singers and then the Chester Studio Singers.
Brian’s extensive experience working on boards and committees served him well as the Coordinator of the Chester Golf Club’s “Super Seniors” Wednesday group, in which role he charmed members with humour and kindness as he reconnected with the game he had loved since his youth. He founded a book club for men, which continues to meet after more than a decade, though its members will miss their “captain” and the power of his patience and the quiet of his voice in its discussions.
A man who loved to travel to faraway places, he loved his home and also knew how to enjoy quietude. He had a powerful connection to nature, shared with daughter Catherine, which was expressed through watching the clouds roll by, feeding birds, inadvertently taming ducks and creating some fine wood carvings. He loved to cook, and took pains to ensure that everyone had enough to eat, particularly his dogs.
For decades, Brian was fascinated by the subject of “art theft”, especially all that was seized during World War II and from the Gardiner Museum in Boston. This led to various art appreciation courses and the beginnings of a novel.
Anticipating the untimely end of his life, he said he had been a lucky man, had had a rich life, and that he had no regrets. When asked what he had on his “bucket list” he immediately and confidently replied that he did not have one.
Brian is mourned by countless friends, who will remember always that he was a gentle man of strength, compassion, loyalty, honour and kindness.
A Visitation will be held at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, Windsor Street, Halifax on Friday, May 23 from 4 – 7 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chester Playhouse at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 24, followed by a reception at the Chester Golf Club at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brian Crocker Memorial Fund at the Chester Playhouse www.chesterplayhouse.ca.
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