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BRIAN VAN WALLEGHEM
Born: Jun 25, 1953
Date of Passing: Aug 10, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryBRIAN VAN WALLEGHEM
Husband, father, brother, son, friend, social worker - Brian’s life was defined by building and fostering relationships, interspersed with adventures that enriched both his own life and those around him. The adventure ended, surrounded by the people he loved the most, at Brandon Regional Hospital due to complications from an undiagnosable neuro-muscular disorder that had progressed over many years.
Brian considered family his greatest accomplishment. A year ago he and Marilyn (Whidden) joyfully celebrated 40 years of marriage and caring for each other. He was truly happy and proud that his sons Keith (Thiaya Brazeau) and Ben (Amanda Moyles) created successful lives and families of their own. Brian was a lifelong best friend to his brother John and shared his love with his in-laws, nieces and nephews. Brian and Marilyn started off in Winnipeg then moved to Brandon when Marilyn’s career took her there. Their cabin at Bird Lake, shared at first with Marilyn’s parents, was a summertime focus for the whole family including their dog Sammy for many years.
Born to Julien and Yvonne (Persons) Van Walleghem in Winnipeg, he attended St. Ignatius and St. Paul’s High Schools before earning a degree in Social Work at the U of M. He completed his practicum at The Family Centre of Winnipeg (later, Family Dynamics) where he was immediately hired and worked for over three decades, even while living in Brandon and driving in every week. Among other roles, he provided individual and group counselling support for adults who struggled in their own relationships and coordinated the Centre’s annual Family Week activities. Later, he also worked about 10 years supporting service members and their families at Canadian Forces Base in Shilo.
From an early age Brian had the ability to connect with and amuse others. Even as a preschooler, he could have a room of adults laughing at his antics. Much to the chagrin of many teachers, he was a notable class clown. As an adult he was often asked to emcee or speak at life events because everyone knew he would find the gentle humour in people and situations. Also from an early age, Brian was an avid athlete - at various times and as seasons dictated displaying his skills at baseball, football, basketball, curling and golf. And he tried plenty of other sports as opportunity allowed. In his 20s he participated with some equally adventurous friends in an epic bike trip to the Maritimes and a near-disastrous canoe trip in northwestern Ontario and travelled solo to various places in Asia, including visiting his Uncle Gerard in Darjeeling, India. In one way or another, he saw a lot of Canada and the world - tent-camping in every province except Newfoundland and enjoying many warm-weather holidays in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Brian enjoyed a good life filled with love and laughter. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place followed by a family-only interment. If anyone wishes to remember Brian through a donation, please consider making a donation in Brian’s memory to a charity of your choice.
As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 15, 2026