Brian (Ed) Donovan

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well-preserved body. Better to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow! What a ride! - Hunter S. Thompson.

Family and friends are heartsick to announce the death of Brian Edward Donovan on the 19th of February 2021

Brian was born in Moncton on March 18, 1952, the son of Mary and Bill Donovan. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Bik (Alene Delaney Donovan), and by his parents and sister, Karen (Robichaud). He is survived by his brothers Michael and Kevin (Cindy Cudmore), and his Delaney in-laws. He was an altar boy and quietly kept his Catholic faith until the end. Brian began his education at École Sainte-Bernadette in Moncton. His mother Mary enrolled him in the school, knowing ― no doubt recognizing his gift of the gab at an early age ― that one language was not enough for Brian. He would do well in both official languages. And he did. He left the school after Grade 8 perfectly bilingual. It was at Sainte Bernadette’s that he met his lifelong friend Stephen Lockyer.

Brian was always industrious as a young fellow, mowing lawns, shovelling driveways, delivering newspapers, tending bar and waiting on tables at the Golden Mile Tavern, and working at the CNR shops, alongside his good friend Marvin Greenblatt. At one point, he went into business with another pal as a chimney sweep. Generous and always enterprising, Brian stepped in to assist those who faced discrimination at the doors of certain establishments, discrimination on the basis of age; after a time, the green liquor IDs manufactured by Brian became so well known that some licensed establishments in Moncton would not accept the real ones.

After high school, Brian’s mother had a surprise for him. She enrolled him in St. Mary’s University. She didn’t mention this to him until the application was accepted and he had four days to get ready and “be in Halifax by Monday.” And it worked out well for him. Thank you, Mum! He made lifelong friends at SMU and he graduated with a degree in accounting.

Following his graduation, he worked with Revenue Canada in Ottawa, where he trained to be a tax auditor, and he returned to Halifax to work for the department here. He then changed direction and went into sales with Chateau-Gai Wines, and had a very successful career as area manager for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. After that, he moved over to Oland Breweries, and he enjoyed his work there for around twenty years, expanding his business contacts and friendships. At one point, he was described by someone well-placed in the industry as “the most successful liquor salesperson in Nova Scotia.”

Brian had always loved boats, and he bought his first sailboat in 1979. Sailing became a favourite activity for him and Bik. In his early days on the water, he had no inkling of how far his interest in sailing would take him. After leaving the beverage industry, he studied to meet the Canada Transport Marine Competency requirements, and qualified as a marine captain. From then on, he was Captain Brian Donovan, a.k.a. Captain Eddie.

In 2003, Brian started Premier Marine Services Ltd. The company motto was “Making Dreams Come True”. He was known and respected throughout the sailing world as someone who could provide any service required, on land or sea, at a moment’s notice. He could do everything from repairing your boat to arranging a limo in Toronto or tickets for the theatre. He organized land transportation for people travelling around the Maritimes, and arranged for food to be flown up to one of the world’s biggest yachts as it set out to traverse the Northwest Passage. He had over 2000 contacts with providers of various services. Premier Marine is still operating today, the largest marine yacht service company in North America, providing services all the way to Lake Michigan in the U.S.A. At the time he sold the company, he had served 330 yachts, delivering 6,000 assignments.

Brian had more friends than he could ever count, some of them who will never be named!

With courage and high spirits that the rest of us can only imagine, Brian announced his final diagnosis as a “one-way ticket”, a way out of the life-altering difficulties with which he had been coping. Brian had survived Hodgkin’s Disease in the late 1970s, and another bout of cancer a few years ago, which brought on a life-threatening infection. In between those illnesses, he survived an accident. While doing repairs on his boat he fractured several vertebrae in his neck, and was immobilized for a considerable time in a halo brace. Then, in 2015, he was one of the passengers on the plane that hit the ground short of the runway in a blizzard at Halifax International Airport. He walked away from that. But it was around three years ago that the worst happened. He had to undergo heart surgery and, during the operation, he suffered a stroke. It left him without the use of both his hands. The odds against that ever happening were astronomical. Brian’s fortitude in the face of all this earned him many compliments, including this one: “You are the toughest guy I’ve ever known.” This from a fellow well familiar with tough guys. We’ll say no more.

Over the past months, after his terminal illness was diagnosed, he welcomed friends to his Halifax home with a sign on the door: “Smile! No sad faces allowed.” His caregiver Kimberly, who assisted him 24 hours a day, made sure the rule was obeyed. Brian had so many friends that appointments for visits had to be scheduled days in advance. During these visits, Brian lived up to the tradition of his Irish heritage: a great storyteller to the end, he treated you to rollicking tales of his adventures and the characters he has known, and he’d have you laughing till the tears came.

Arrangements are being handled by JA Snow Funeral Home. To view or place an online message of condolence please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com. A Celebration of Life will be held when C-19 restrictions are lifted or relaxed.

Standing By!