We Remember
POWELL, Robert “Brian”
January 5, 1960 — April 17, 2023
Sadly, we announce the passing of Brian Powell, born January 5, 1960, and died April 17, 2023. He leaves behind his wife Alicia and his daughter Hannah.
Brian was born in East York, Ontario and raised in Ottawa along with his siblings Bill, Arthur, Liz, and Jim. Brian was a bright, smart, curious, an intellectual, artistic, creative person whose priorities were God and his family. He was a sentimental and romantic person, loved nature and the outdoors, wasn’t keen in working out indoors. He was an encouragement for his family to strive during tough times.
Brian loved to travel and explore other countries, he was interested in linguistics and culture. He spent one year in Japan and another in Seville teaching English, learning their cultures and making friends. As a young believer, he wanted to be a missionary, joined a group to go to India and Britain. He was a supporter of MCI Missions for the last 20 years, Compassion Canada, and Doctors without Borders. He believed in the importance of supporting the community in Kelowna with donations to the Food Bank.
Brian liked to make jokes to entertain other people during gatherings. He held different positions at UBC Vancouver and later at UBC Okanagan. During his professional career, he moved to different cities within Canada. For two years, he commuted from Kelowna to Coquitlam every other week to spend the weekend with his family until the family settled in the Okanagan. Brian was an easygoing person who extended his hand to anyone who asked for his help.
We want to thank his mom, Betty; Alicia’s family; Willow Park Church; friends from Vancouver and Kelowna; colleagues from UBCO, ORL who have been a blessing to the Powell family for the last year and a half.
A Celebration of Life will be held on SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023, at 4:00 PM (PST), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023, at 4:00 PM (PST)
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
Dearest Alicia and Hannah,
I am so very sorry to see that Brian has passed. Heartfelt condolences for the loss of your wonderful husband and father. Wishing you peace and comfort at this time of great sorrow.
With Love,
Rhea Milanese
Even though we were cousins far away it hurts to hear that brian passed away. We stand near to you in our thoughts and prayers. God is our only conforter.
Querida.familia …dese lejos nuestro corazón está cerca orando por ustedes. La. distancia no aleja el amor.. nuestro mayor abrazo y cariño desde acá. Que Dios sea el gran consolador en este momento y puedan seguir adelante de su manno.l Agradecemos la esperanza que tenemos en Jesús que un día estaremos juntos Brian en el cielo alabando al Padre Eterno! Los amamos mucho 💝
Amada familia, los acompañamos con todo nuestro amor en estos dificiles momentos sabiendo que la separación momentánea y con la esperanza certera de que pronto nos volveremos a ver junto a nuestro amado Padre. Brian está en nuestros corazones con el mejor de los recuerdos. Los abrazamos
Alicia mis más sinceras condolencias
Age wise, Brian and I are four years apart, but I can say that I have known Brian all my life. We were closer in our youth because our parents were friends, and so we would all get together a few times a year. As an only child, I saw Brian and his brothers and sister like siblings I never had. For a time, Brian and I became quite close. Later, I understood why. It´s because we had similar interests in learning about foreign cultures and understanding language and communication. We both became academics and believed in helping people broaden their minds and become whatever they dreamed of becoming. As we became adults, we drifted apart. We went to teach English overseas. He returned to Canada and moved West. I stayed overseas. But I remember we stayed in touch for a while by email. We admired what we had both achieved. He admired me for learning how to program, and he missed being in the classroom. I admired him for producing online courses and for working in Canada for two prestigious universities. We also shared similar personalities. I will always remember Brian as a kind and soft-spoken person, which I believe is not so different from myself. Although life made us drift apart, I am sure our like-minded spirits will meet again. He´s in a better place now, and I wish him well.
Hanna and Alicita, Brian ls in our memori and in our hearth. He was a wunderful husband, father son and brother in law I am so sad, We are fro.m here so far but We are stay with you . Remember you are so precious for the family.
My deepest condolences to Alicia, Hannah, auntie Betty, and cousins Jim, Liz, Arthur, and Bill. Abrazos con mucho cariño.
No siempre es fácil asimilar la partida de un ser querido a la eternidad, pero nos queda el consuelo que no será un adiós para siempre sino un hasta pronto. Esas personas especiales nunca mueren sino que permanecen en el lugar más importante donde nunca se olvidan, en nuestros corazones y en los bellos recuerdos vividos. Atesorar cada momento compartido nos permite lidiar y hacer que la ausencia que deja su partida sea ma llevadera. Tía Alicia y Hannah queremos expresarles nuestras condolencias por la ida temprana de Brian, esposo y padre, manifestarles que desde la distancia siempre están en nuestros corazones y oraciones para que Dios las llene de fortaleza para afrontar está difícil prueba que la vida les coloca, estaremos presentes e incondicional para apoyarlas y acompañarlas en el camino de la vida. Unidos en familia somos más fuertes para superar los azares de la vida. Con cariño la familia Rodríguez Díaz.
Alicia y Hannah, los estamos acompanandode todo corazon en estos momentos tan dificiles, pero sabemos donde esta Brian y donde lo vamos a volver a ver
Alice, Hanna, desde la distancia estamos con ustedes, Bryan fue un gran esposo y padre y deja un gran legado de amor, comprension y humildad..Las Queremos
I’m with you Alicia and Hannah
Querida Alicia y Hanna. Mi oración por todos ustedes es que El Señor les de la Paz y consuelo. Mi cariño. Marina
Sending you my love and prayers. My deepest sympathies for your loss. May you and Hannah go through this difficult time through prayer and the comfort of your loved ones. May God wrap you with his strength and Grace..
Mis mas sentido pésame amiga! Un gran abrazo!
Dear Alicia and Hannah,
We are so sorry to hear that Brian has passed away, but Brian is now “home” with Jesus, where there is no more suffering and everything is beautiful and whole and where you will be together again. We will pray for you and Hannah, that Jesus will help and comfort you and we know that He will be with you through everything.
With Love from Albert & Matty Siemons
To the Powell family,
I was deeply saddened to find out about Brian’s passing. I had the pleasure of growing up with Brian and the Powell family back in Ottawa. Brian was both a close neighbor and friend. My deepest heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to you Alicia, Hannah and family during this difficult time. Rest assured, Brian is with our heavenly father in paradise.
God Bless!
On behalf of my mother Norma, my wife Elizabeth and myself, I send my deepest condolences to Alicia, Hannah, Tia Betty, Bill, Arthur, Liz and Jimmy. Brian was part of our lives and will always be in our memory.
Sending my well wishes to Brian’s family. We worked together and shared an office at UBC. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. Sincere condolences to you all.
Brian and I went to Concordia in same MA Educational Technology program and then our paths crossed again at Athabasca University – he got a job there soon after me. I had a townhouse in town and he rented part of it from me so we lived together (next to a native single mother whose beautiful kids were in our house more than they were in their own and so we fed them and let them play and watch tv). Brian was a very bright, considerate, charitable and generous person. I will miss our conversations and video calls over the past year during his cancer illness. He spoke highly of his family. My deep condolences.
Add this to my condolences please – a picture of Brian at a conference in Banff. (I am in red)