Tribute

With all our love, we are deeply saddened to share with you the news of the passing of Brian Passey (January 31, 1938 – October 17, 2025).

Brian was born to Sydney Howard Passey and Mary Bryden Passey in 1938, in Tunbridge Wells, England.  Growing up during the war years, Brian and his sister Anne attended boarding schools during the year and came home to the Surrey countryside during school holidays. Later, Brian attended university in Glasgow, Scotland, where he earned a bachelor degree.  It was during his time in Glasgow that Brian began to sail, and there launched a life-long passion and source of profound joy for the rest of his life. As at home on the sea as on the land, Brian joined the Naval Reserves following graduation, and spent another five years aboard diesel engines and steam ships while completing his apprenticeship as a Marine Engineer.

In 1966, Brian took a leap and immigrated to Canada. Landing in Duncan, British Columbia, Brian had the good luck to be introduced to Sally Gowing shortly after arriving, and on September 23, 1967, Brian and Sally were married. A true team, Brian and Sally moved their way around the province with their two kids, armies of dogs, donkeys, and clucking chickens in tow. Brian was a true builder, maker, and doer;
happiest in his workshop and with a project on the go, he built the family houses, sheds, garden beds and boats wherever they went.

Brian was propelled throughout his life by his sharp intellect and his keen sense of curiosity— as apparent by overflowing bookshelves, packed with thick tomes of history, philosophy, and global cultures, and his love of good conversation. Brian’s curiosity for the world showed up in his many tales of hitchhiking through France during school holidays, scaling the mountain sides of the Scottish Highlands, sailing his way through storms and his year living in Pakistan, just before retirement. To the great luck of all of us who knew him, Brian was also an excellent storyteller, and shared these tales with his typical wit.

A brilliant mind and a good man in a storm, Brian will always be remembered for his steadfastness, bright intelligence, and wry sense of humour— and most of all, for his profound love for his wife, his kids, and grandkids. Brian is predeceased by his beloved wife, Sally Passey (1937- 2022), and is survived by his sister Anne Royston, his children Christopher Passey (Kirsten) and Susanna Passey (Grant), his five grandchildren and six
nieces and nephews. We will all continue to hold him close in our memories.