We Remember
BJARNASON, Brian Albert
November 22, 1943 — July 4, 2024
It is with great sadness and deep love that the family of Brian Albert Bjarnason announces his peaceful passing on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at the age of 80. His strength and courage were remarkable as he fought Parkinson’s over the past few years.
Brian is survived by Cathy Renkas, his loving partner; his daughters Michelle (Terry) Conville, Kari (Scott) Willcocks, and Jacqueline Ravarra: his grandchildren Tanner (Avy), Dallyn (Jessi), Madison (Lawson), Landen (Ariel), Braemon, Crimson, Cortez, Devi, and Allura; and great-grandchildren Vivian, Blake, Luella, Talia, Colby, Lark, and Jettson. Brian was also a great step-dad to Jorden (Georgie). His siblings Sandra, David, and Lorne all have personal memories of Brian. He was predeceased by his sister Lucille in 2023.
Brian was born in Innisfail, Alberta to parents Albert and Frances and raised in Markerville, Alberta. His younger years were spent helping his dad with a bulk oil business and his uncle on the farm. As a young husband and father, Brian and his first wife Joanne moved from Calgary, AB to Kelowna, BC in the 60s. A loving dad to three beautiful daughters, Brian coached them in sports and his love and work ethic lives on in them.
In his younger years, he enjoyed sports – going to numerous football, baseball, and hockey games. He loved country music (some old and some new) and he was a true country gentleman.
Brian went on to explore various business ventures over his years in Kelowna: he owned a service station, the Tape Deck store, sold Real Estate with Royal Trust before going into sales and marketing of recreation lots at Holiday Park and Sicamous Sands, and then he worked in land development and construction project management for Bristol Gardens condominiums. He retired at the age of 50, but he continued to dabble in various business interests afterwards, including sales of recreation lots at Shuswap Falls.
In earlier years, he was passionate about golf. He held a membership at Kelowna Springs for many years before moving over to Two Eagles in West Kelowna. In his younger years, he enjoyed skiing at Big White, where he had a condo at the Whitefoot Lodge.
Brian built a house in Ajijic, Mexico and spent many winters there before relocating to Apache Junction, Arizona, and then Thousand Palms, California in the winter months as a snowbird.
A caring partner, father, grandfather and great-grandpa, he was always happy when family and friends came to visit. He will be remembered as a quiet man who lived his life guided by strong Christian values.
Dependable and resourceful, Brian was a problem solver and a self-taught tradesman who could build or repair anything requested by his family. Always sensitive to the needs of others, Brian was one of those few people you meet in life who consistently treated others with genuine kindness. He will be greatly missed.
Thank you to the outstanding nurses and other staff of KGH 3 MU for such compassionate care in his final days as he was surrounded by the love of his family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Parkinson’s Society British Columbia.
A Celebration of Life will be held on SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road in Kelowna, BC.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Service
Sunday, July 28, 2024, 10:00 AM
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
Parkinson Society British Columbia Link: www.parkinson.bc.ca
Service Information
Service Details
The service for BJARNASON, Brian Albert is scheduled for Sunday, July 28, 2024, 10:00 AM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
My thoughts are with Brian’s family.
I golfed regularly with Brian at Kelowna Springs and always enjoyed his company and the regular banter of 4 old guys that know pretty much everything.
Sincere condolences.
My sincere condolences to Cathy, an amazing partner, and to Brian’s loving daughters, Michelle, Kari, Jackie, and their families. I remember so many great times that I, Brad and Syd had with Brian, Joanne, and their girls when we visited them in Kelowna. It was always a special holiday for us. Doug and I spent a New Year’s Eve with Brian and Cathy in Mexico. We played golf, had great times together and enjoyed their company. Brian and Cathy also joined us for a holiday in Arizona and Hawaii. I will miss and love my precious Brother forever.
You will be missed 65 years a friend 59 years a phone call on July 31st wishing us a happy anniversary Dorothy Barrie Hewstan Victoria BC 250 592 5581
My condolences to Cathy, my cousins Michelle, Kari, Jacqueline, their families & Aunt Joanne.
Uncle Brian will always live on in our memories & I’d like to share a few of mine from years ago.
Uncle Brian recording home movies of his girls skating on the home made ice rink in their front yard when living in Calgary.
After moving to Kelowna he took movies of us cousins singing and lip syncing while doing the air band thing in the family room.
I think I was around 8 yrs old when he taught me to water ski on Okanagan Lake where the Ogopogo lived or so I believed.
Uncle Brian made my brother Mike’s bedroom one of a kind. He supplied enough album covers of various artists from The Tape Deck to make the ceiling. It was the coolest!
I was also fortunate to spend a weekend at Big White where you could ski right from his condo onto the hill. A real treat for a bunny hill skier like me.
Uncle Brian will be missed and I thank him for all the good memories he left behind for us all to cherish. I hadn’t seen him in quite a few years but I will always remember his smile!