Brian and I were brothers-in-law and became so in our later years. We lived in different parts of the country and usually only met in summer at the Irwin family cottage in Muskoka. He was an affable character, loved to chat, was patient and kind, and always wore a smile. We enjoyed several games of golf over the years, and he never lost his temper after a poor shot. We will miss him!

We shall plant a tree in his memory this summer at the cottage.

Alex Davidson

I first met Brian when I was without work and trying to raise a young family in 1991. I interviewed for a sales position at Canadian Freightways where Brian was the sales manager. While interviewing me, Brian indicated that he was looking for someone with sales experience and I had none. I left without expectations. The next morning Brian called me to tell me that he was going to take a chance on me. He told me that he had a gut feeling and he was going to take a chance on hiring me. I worked with Brian for one year and he taught me "the sales game" as he referred to it. We also developed a friendship as he had a fatherly effect on me personally. After leaving the freight business I became a customer of Brian's and he would come around for regular visits to the business that my wife and I managed. We had an annual Stampede Barbeque that Brian always attended as he loved my wife's chicken chili. He also developed a lasting friendship with my wife Sharon. Unfortunately, we fell out of touch when Brian retired but his memory has always been with me. Brian had a lasting impression on me and I have always said that he was the best boss that I ever had the pleasure of working with. Brian was a great human being.