AJ BRENNAND

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BRENNAND: AJ, August 13, 1922 - January 08, 2015. Alexander James passed away at the West-Man Nursing Home in Virden in his 93rd year. He was born in the Archie Municipality to Frank and Mary Brennand on the 13th of August, 1922. He grew up on the farm with his eight siblings. At age 18 he joined the army and became part of the 13 Field Artillery Regiment, serving overseas from 1941-45. He took part in the D-Day assault, landing in Normandy and attained the rank of Sergeant. His oldest brother George was wounded in the Dieppe raids and Alex was with him when he died. Alex has written a story of his war experience and it is being processed by the Legion. It was very hard to return to civilian life. Alex spent two winters at a lumber camp at Vermillion Bay ON then began farming. In 1950 he married Cora McKibbon and they had two children, Dale and Glynis. They were involved in Manson and community affairs. Alex drove a school van, was on the school board and also tried his hand at auctioneering. Cora passed away in 1963. In 1966 Alex married Peggy Whitton of CJATC Rivers who had two children, Cheryl and Bill, and they soon became one family. They continued to farm until 1976 when they moved to Elkhorn. Alex opened Brennand’s Billiards and Barber Shop, but sold the pool hall to his son-in-law “Bubba the barber”. He would rather play pool than operate a business. Alex next tried cottage life in Oak Lake, where he spent a few summers fishing with his Uncle Jim Mundell, but that was not enough action for him, so he then began to travel. Alex was an active working member of the Legion and received his 60 years pin. He had held most of the offices, including that of Zone Commander. The Brennand family was a gregarious lot. They had many family reunions and get-togethers. Saturday night was pub night and along with their friends they had a great time. Alex and Peggy did a lot of travelling. He went back to Holland and retraced the route the 13 Field Artillery Regiment had taken. One memorable trip taken was with his brothers Morris and Gordon to England and Scotland to find their roots which they did. Alex never lost touch with his old Army buddies of the 13 Field Artillery Regiment and outlived all of them. Alex had a competitive nature whether it be curling, golf, horseshoes or challenging his grandsons to chin-up and arm wrestling. Alex and Peggy moved to Virden, although Alex spent his last years in the nursing home, he never lost his sense of humour. When the girls visited, it was always a hug and kiss; when his grandsons came, it was a click of the heels and a smart salute. Alex will be remembered by: Wife Peggy; son Dale; daughter Glynis (Ron) Lund; Grandsons Ash, Bob (Brigit); Great-Grandchildren Sofia and Oliver; step-daughter Cheryl (Dave) Climie; step-grandson Todd (Linda) Climie; step-great- grandchildren Scott, Darryl and Corey; step-granddaughter Brigette (Jim) McCarthy; step-great-granddaughters Kyra and Sarah; step-son Bill (Betty) Whitton; step-granddaughters Lori, Brenda (Keith), Maci B. and Marshall; brother Gordon and Evelyn Brennand; sisters Francie Stonehouse and Shirley McColl; sisters-in-law Muriel Brennand, Molly Treloar, Mattie Treloar; aunt Evelyn Mundell as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Alex is predeceased by: Wife Cora (McKibbon); parents Frank and Mary Brennand; brothers George and Morris Brennand; sisters and brothers-in-law Bertha and George Lewis, Mary (Eddie) and Dan Stonehouse, Myrtle Brennand and Lillias and Everett Westwood; sisters-in-law Georgina Brennand, Reta McMannis and Beryl McMannis; brothers- in-law Frank Stonehouse, Jim McColl, Doug Treloar and Bob Treloar; grandson Chad Lund. The service was truly a celebration of Alex’s life.“Well done, thou good and faithful servant”

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 30, 2015