Thomas Stuart Braidwood

Thomas Stuart Braidwood passed away early on the morning of Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Stuart was the youngest of four children born in Wallasey, England on January 5, 1931. His early family life was spent in Blundallsands, near Liverpool where he attended Merchant Taylors’ School. During the war years his family moved to Prestatyn in North Wales. His father, a naval engineer, continued to work in Liverpool where he was responsible for converting ferries to hospital ships. Stuart lost his parents at a very young age and was always thankful for his immediate and large extended family. Over the years he has taken a great interest in his nephews, and their families. After spending time in the army he did a drafting apprenticeship in England.

On July 1, 1955 Stuart arrived in Montreal with his trusty Triumph motor bike, and 10 British Pounds! After visiting his uncle in Rochester, New York he slowly made his way to Vancouver. Once he arrived here, he joined the Transmission Design Department of BC Electric (later IPEC) and then BC Hydro’s Transmission Department (later BC Hydro). He worked there until 1992, enjoying every day. He made lifelong friends at Hydro and enjoyed working with all his colleagues. He organized an annual traditional Chinese Christmas luncheon for retirees from the Transmission Design Department. He interestingly followed the successes of his younger colleagues, and was very proud of their accomplishments. He helped build his first home in North Vancouver and thoroughly enjoyed this project and all he learned from the many tradesmen he came to know.

Stuart was a natural athlete and played rugby as a young man in England. Lately he spent many a Saturday morning watching rugby and football on television from England. He took up downhill skiing and did it with style and finesse. In the early 80s sailing became his new passion and, along with his friend Stu Hicks, he became part owner of SASSY - Stu and Stu’s Sailing Yacht! They enjoyed Wednesday night racing and we all enjoyed daily outings on the water or longer trips to places nearby. In 1991 Stuart got back into motor biking but this time he rode a Honda Gold Wing.

In 1981 Stuart joined Jericho Tennis Club starting out as a squash player, but tennis quickly became his game of choice. He was a regular user of the gym and pool, and Jericho was his “local” as they say in England, where he met his friends most days for a pint.

In 2005 he joined the Brock House Society and was an active member, enjoying the Travel and Lecture series, Friday Flicks and many social events.

Stuart and Christine met in 1981 and enjoyed 38 years of happiness, fun and adventure. Overseas travel was a highlight of their life: annual trips to Maui in October, trips back to England, time with family in Newfoundland, holidays in Mexico, and Europe, and, on his 85th birthday, a trip to South Africa. They also enjoyed a wide circle of friends celebrating many special occasions.

Stuart enjoyed excellent health until October 2018. He continued to be very active throughout his chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He was hospitalized on June 17th and thankfully his suffering was short. He was non-judgemental, energetic, humorous, handsome, kind, responsible and remained ever-the- gentleman; easy to love. Stuart will be lovingly remembered by his partner Christine Samson, his sister Joan Morle of Formby, England, nephews Iain Braidwood (Louise), John Braidwood (Eva), Stuart Morle (Ana), and their families. He will be missed by many wonderful friends. He was predeceased by his brother Allan, his sister Betty and wife June.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Wednesday, September 11th at 2:00 pm at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, 3811 Point Grey Road. In lieu of flowers donations to the Canadian Red Cross would be greatly appreciated and please be a blood donor in Stuarts memory.

“That best portion of a good man’s life;

His little, nameless, unremembered

acts of kindness and of love”.

William Wordsworth