Born Brian William Jeffs, February 25th, 1958, in Victoria BC. He was the 4th of 5 children, with his siblings Frances (Frannie), James (Jim), Margaret, and Allyson, under parents Francis (Russel) and Frances.
He attended Oak Bay high school in Victoria where he met his wife, Delaney Ann Bagley, of 45 years. After graduation, Brian attended UBC in economics and started his passion in flying. They married in a small ceremony at the Minoru Chapel in Richmond, in the summer of 1979.
Brian and Delaney cherished their small family roots and decided to start their own small family, welcoming their children Ryan, Laura, and Nicholas.
Shortly before marrying, in 1978, Brian enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and took his first posting in Summerside, PEI, flying the coastal patrol Tracker aircraft, patrolling the Atlantic coast for submarines and illegal fishery, and exercising in Bermuda with the US Navy. During his 40-year military career (20 years in the RCAF regular force and 20 years in the reserves) he and Delaney were posted all across the country, including a Canadian/Norwegian exchange posting in the world’s northern most city of Bodo, Norway, in 1989.
Retiring from the RCAF regular force in 1998, he began his next chapter as a commercial airline pilot, flying all around the world, albeit at slightly lower speeds. He flew for Air Canada for 23 years, retiring just last year.
While for 45 years Brian felt privileged to be able to follow his passion for flying, he was more than just a pilot and made a point to take time to enjoy an array of interests and hobbies. He gave back to his community and shared his enthusiasm for soccer through coaching youth teams. He loved music and supported local arts. He valued a sharp mind and would always motivate others to pursue continued education. Above all, Brian cherished his family, taking immense pride in their accomplishments and showering them with unwavering love and support and encouraging them to follow their dreams. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the family he loved so dearly.
In lieu of flowers Brian would ask that you share your passion and give back. He felt there is nothing more valuable than the gift of one’s time.
My most sincere condolences to Delaney and family. I had the pleasure and privilege to get to know Brian as we flew many missions together over the North Atlantic and the Artic . Brian was a gentleman and a outstanding individual with a big hearth. Rest in peace.