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BRIAN FRANCIS SQUAIR QC Obituary pic BRIAN FRANCIS SQUAIR QC Obituary pic

BRIAN FRANCIS SQUAIR QC

Born: Dec 07, 1935

Date of Passing: Nov 18, 2022

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BRIAN FRANCIS SQUAIR QC
December 7, 1935 - November 18, 2022


Brian leaves his loving wife Kathy after a 62 year marriage that began at Daniel McIntrye Collegiate Institute, the four L's, Leanne (Gary Bunio), Lisa (Marty Grady), Lynne (Ken Hahlweg) and Lorene/Renie and the grandchildren that called him Pa, Sian Bunio (Alex Duhault), Lyndon Bunio (Claire Pibrovec), Satya Hahlweg (Daniel Orlikow), Camille Squair and Jakob Hahlweg and Great-Grandpa to Francis Orlikow. He also had a special relationship with Isabel and Garry Peterson, neighbours and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Cathy and his granddaughter Maelen.
As with so many things in his life, Dad peacefully moved to the next stage with Kathy holding his hand and giving us all strength as we move forward without him. We admired his perseverance in the last month as his health challenges compounded. He read the Winnipeg Free Press up until his last few days, always reading the Sports Section first. We enjoyed chatting about current affairs and the latest in political madness in the world! Brian always had a joke to tell, the more off colour the better. His sense of humour, gift of the gab and teasing ways are attributes that continue with his family.
Brian began his career teaching high school in Dauphin, Manitoba, then taking a position in Ghana, West Africa in 1962 with External Aid, teaching young men English. They made lifelong friendships, developed a passion for travelling, an appreciation of diverse foods and a deeper understanding of the gaps between rich and poor and what was truly important in the world in order to build and live a happy life. Another lifelong community commenced when we all moved into the first Cooperative Housing complex in Western Canada in north Winnipeg (Willow Park). He was on the Board of Directors for the Coop Housing Association of Manitoba (CHAM) for many years helping to guide the creation of better and more affordable housing options for people. This then evolved into the Jubilee Fund; Manitoba's only charitable ethical investment fund that offers financial assistance for local non-profits and social enterprises working to reduce the impact of poverty.
In 1968, Brian was "Called to the Bar" and began a long career with the Province's Attorney General's Department. Dad worked on many civil litigation files and used his knowledge and wit in his involvement in the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982 with Premier Sterling Lyon. He was a well-respected colleague, with knowledge and understanding of legal processes. He was always willing to share a cup of tea and enjoyed smoking his pipe in conversations with his colleagues. Brian was a good man who lived by committed principles and whose highly sought advice and counsel were deeply valued.
Dad's favourite place was the cottage in Loni Beach, Gimli where his love of gardening flourished. Family and beach time was part of a great summer, the more dogs running around the better, many books read, with the occasional golf game to still prove he had his athletic prowess! Spending time at the beach with Dad were special times filled with polar bear swims, badminton and croquet. Cottage family dinners were a highlight, with lots of stories, great debates and laughter. Dad always kept the ditch flowing into the lake by shoveling the sand piles numerous times. We always knew when it was 5 o'clock on the beach when he would come down to the lake with his favourite dog Maggie Mae; the kong in the lake preceding our view of him. Pa bacon sandwiches were the best breakfasts and his Pa candies always snuck out of the bowl. Etched in our memories will be canoe trips with four kids and a dog to Willow Island and driving the lawn tractor at the lake.
The family would like to thank Dr. Tim Ross for his years of caring for Dad, with dignity, respect and humour; the Health Sciences Centre staff on the neurology wards and the Misericordia Transitional Care Unit who facilitated our parents' reunion and ability to spend their final night together. Finally, we will be forever thankful to our friends across the country who have provided their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, please support the Fred Douglas Society Endowment www.freddouglassociety.com - if you wish to, please go to the Donate Now site.
A Celebration of Brian's Life will be held the Summer of 2023 in Gimli, MB.


Those We Love (Don't Go Away) - Author Unknown
"Those we love don't go away; They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed, and very dear."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 26, 2022

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

  • Brian was instrumental in the growth of Jubilee Fund and without a doubt, in every nonprofit he was a part of. Brian, thank you for serving your community so wholeheartedly. - Posted by: Monica Sigurdson (Community Member) on: Nov 29, 2022

  • Leanne, Lisa, Lynne and Renie; my most heartfelt condolences to you and your families. Your dad was such a devoted husband and father. I have had the great privilege of experiencing first hand his paternal gifts, his care, his humour and am so thankful for the life lessons he taught me. I so enjoyed our meal time discussions and laughs. I am forever grateful for the great years I had with your family and know that you are finding comfort and support together at this difficult time. A really big hug to each of you and your mom, take care of yourselves and each other. Norlyn - Posted by: Norlyn (Family Friend) on: Nov 28, 2022

  • Thank you, Leanne, for sharing the beautifully written obituary of your Dad. What a life he had! Rich with experiences, family, friends, education, and much love. I have always enjoyed visiting with your parents, Lisa, and Lynne, when all or some were in town, and the opportunity arose for such. I suspect if I knew as much of Brian's life and that of Kathy's as I do now, I may have asked him to put down his newspaper or book more often and share:) I was very sorry to hear how quickly Brian's health failed this Fall; it must have been a very difficult event for all of you to witness and share. It is wonderful, however, that Brian helped create and build such a strong family to support and comfort each other in difficult times as these. I also well suspect that he would be delighted to have you celebrate his life; and enjoy all the rich, wonderful memories he left with you. Warm hugs, and many blessings to all of you, Janet - Posted by: Janet Vivian (Friend of Family) on: Nov 28, 2022

  • Sincere condolences, Kathy and all the family. Always enjoyed hearing stories from Terry and Donna. May your memories help to heal and bring peace. - Posted by: Janice Johnson (McCormick) (Acquaintance) on: Nov 27, 2022

  • Kathy & Family - Eve and I send our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Brian was a wonderful man and I was lucky to be one of his colleagues. I don’t think you know this but I covered some of Brian's clients while he was on holidays and ended up with fascinating cases. One involved a witness to a highway accident [Dept. of Highways], who had been found guilty of impersonating a doctor and in addition, being charged with hiring two men to kill her husband. A second concerned the purchase of defective sandbags [Dept. of Govt. Services] for the Winnipeg Flood of 1979, the case ending up in a courtroom in Minneapolis. - Posted by: Dirk Blevins (Colleague) on: Nov 27, 2022

  • We have lived in Cobourg, Ontario the past 17 years. We have followed the Free Press obits all that time so we can be aware of our friends and their families. Our deep regrets to Kathy and families. - Posted by: Gary and Sandra Jones (classmates) on: Nov 26, 2022

  • A lovely obituary. My condolences to the Squair girls of Middle Gate. - Posted by: Christopher Albi (friend) on: Nov 26, 2022

  • A tremendously caring uncle who whose sense of humour and dry wit will always stay with me. Love from the Sigurdson clan Nephew Kristian - Posted by: Kristian (Nephew) on: Nov 26, 2022

  • My heartfelt condolences to the family. I remember coming home with my sister Alix after we had met the Squair girls on Middlegate when we were young kids. 0ur parents became great friends over the years and had wonderful travels and dinners. Sending much love at this challenging time. - Posted by: Kirsten Marshall (Friend and neighbour) on: Nov 26, 2022

  • So sorry to hear of Brian’s loss Stan Nozick - Posted by: Stanley Nozick (Classmate ) on: Nov 26, 2022

  • May his memory be a blessing. - Posted by: Allison Ferg (family ) on: Nov 26, 2022

  • My thoughts are with you, Leanne. Reading about the many adventures your dad had over the years brought a smile to my face. Thank you for sharing these memories. Much love, Amy - Posted by: Amy Alexander (Friend to Leanne) on: Nov 26, 2022

  • Deepest regrets and sincere condolences to all the family. With love and many memories from Margaret Taylor and family. - Posted by: Margaret Taylor (Friend) on: Nov 26, 2022

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