Obituary of Brett STEVENS

September 19, 1929 - Gateshead, England
May 20, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Brett Stevens of Calgary, AB, on Thursday May 20, 2021 at the age of 91 years.

Brett had an active and interesting life. He was born in Gateshead, England, close to Newcastle, on September 19, 1929. He had terrible vision but was possessed of a rich baritone voice. He often told the story of performing in a 1955 stage production of South Pacific with the yet to be discovered Sean Connery. It was during this production that he also met his first wife, Rosalind (Roz) Wittham when he played a sailor and she was a nurse. They married in London in 1956 and Jacqueline was born on April 11, 1957. Brett worked extensively with the BBC in London and recorded several albums. Starting in the 1960s, Brett performed on the two Cunard Princess cruise ships, Mary and Elizabeth, during their Trans Atlantic crossings. Interspersed with these voyages were contracts in London for various productions and shows including Damn Yankees and the Benny Hill Show. While working on a Royal Viking ship as the featured entertainer, he met Hanka Martin. He subsequently moved to Calgary and they married in August of 1978. Brett retired from show business and opened a highly successful antique store, Heritage Antiques, which he ran for almost two decades before selling and retiring. Always active, Brett got much enjoyment from his almost daily trips to the Glencoe Club where he was an avid tennis player as well as walking miles and miles every day in Glenmore Park. Brett continued to play tennis well into his mid 80s and would walk almost daily until the age of ninety.

Known to his family as Tommy, Brett is survived and will be dearly missed by his daughter Jacqueline (John Akins); granddaughter Tara (Joe Horsnell); and great-grandsons, Ryan, Joshua and Benji, all of London, England. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, George and Maureen Claxton, and their family in Cornwall, England and his step-daughter Monica Martin of Calgary. He was predeceased by his first wife Roz in 2007 and his second wife Hanka in 2011 and brother Richard in 2010.

As per Brett’s wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of their choice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Brett’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. We wish to particularly thank and commend The Journey Club in Westman Village for the incredible level of care Brett received in his final months.

In living memory of Brett Stevens, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.