Brian Martin West

Brian peacefully made the journey to the afterlife on Wednesday April 3rd 2024, surrounded by a close group of friends and family.

Brian was the son of RAF Veteran Warwick Archibald West and Joyce Eileen Uren and brother to Candace Jacqueline Gray. The West household personified a throwback to simpler times with strong values based in faith and family.

For those that had the privilege of meeting Brian, you know he was quick to share a story and came to every situation armed with wisdom, sound advice and a willingness to assist any person in need. Brian’s greatest joy was helping others. A prime example of this was when he volunteered as an overnight councillor on the suicide crisis helpline. Brian was able to bring peace to many that were in distress through his thoughtful words and generous soul. His desire to serve was also displayed during is time in the Canadian Coast Guard as a Lighthouse Keeper at Entrance Island and Carmanah Point on the BC Coast. Lighthouse life showcased all Brian’s best qualities as his days would be filled with activities such as rescuing ill-equipped hikers, towing broken down boaters, repairing diesel engines, maintaining the impeccable grounds, teaching school to the kids, fishing, hiking and gardening all while being a stable rock for a young family.

Brian was a proud father to Natalie and Trevor and spent 42 years married to his childhood sweetheart Nilde. For much of Natalie and Trevor’s youth, Brian served as a coach, mentor, mechanic, handyman and councillor to not only them, but a large group of their friends. He passed on his passion for music, sports and sampling authentic ethnic foods to the next generations.

In retired life, Brian spent time sailing his boat around the local coastal region. He took several international trips, tracing his family roots back to the villages in Ireland, England and Scotland where his grandparents were born.

Brian continued his generosity later in life by giving much of his time to Christ Church Cathedral and St. Jude’s Anglican Home where his mother Joyce lived out her last years.

Over the last 12 years of Brian’s life, you would never find him without his little buddy and sidekick Jack, the adopted miniature pinscher. We were all saddened when Jack recently lost his battle with diabetes, blindness and general old age just a few weeks prior to Brian’s passing. There was a large group of new friends that were introduced to Brian and Jack through their regular walks at the New Brighton dog park. Many regular visitors to the park will greatly miss their presence.

Brian will be cheering on his favorite teams, the Canucks, Blue Jays and Raptors from above. He wouldn’t miss a game right up to his last days with us. There is no formal funeral service planned but close friends will be notified of a summer gathering in honour of both Brian and Jack at New Brighton Park in East Vancouver.

Brian regularly donated to the following charities and asked we share these links to further help the cause. St. Jude’s Anglican Home - https://stjudes.bc.ca/donations/ Muscular Dystrophy Research - https://muscle.akaraisin.com/ui/directgiving/donations/start Christ Church Cathedral - https://www.thecathedral.ca/pages/give Heart & Stroke Foundation - https://app-hsfdonation.heartandstroke.ca/?pagename=DMDonationForm&s_locale=en_CA&s_fT=cont&s_pres=hsweb&s_cscid=hsweb_nav BC SPCA - https://spca.bc.ca/donations/make-a-donation/?utm_source=footer&utm_campaign=donate