Obituary of Brian Joseph Spence

December 18, 1947 - Arolsen, Germany

March 6, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

We are sad to announce that Brian Spence passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023. Brian is survived by his loving soulmate of 51 years Sharon Spence, as well as his son Ryan Spence (Amber), his cherished twin granddaughters Adeline and Georgia Spence, and daughter Carly Nichol (Dave). He is also survived by his brothers, George Spence (Marla), Kevin Spence (Carol) and Sean Spence, his sister-in-law Bonnie Wankel (Norm), father-in-law George Hampton, his much-loved nieces and nephews, Tim, Lisa, Jamie, Nick, and Chelsea as well as their spouses and children.

Brian immigrated from Belfast, Northern Ireland to Alberta at the age of 5. He attended St. Francis High School in Calgary, then moved to Edmonton to attend the U of A, where he obtained his Medical Degree.

He met Sharon on a blind date New Year’s Eve, and they married May 22, 1971, before moving to Toronto to intern at TGH. Following that, he returned to Calgary where he served as a beloved and revered Family Dr. for 40 years. Brian retired from full-time practice at age 50 and spent another 15 years doing Locums for other colleagues. This allowed him to pursue his interests in singing, writing, travelling, volunteering, sailing and his beloved tennis.

Brian was an accomplished singer and entertainer and won a karaoke contest on a medical reunion cruise (much to the surprise of his classmates). He also entertained at the Bashaw Farmer’s Market, Mazatlán, Mexico at various functions, many performances at Red Deer Lake for his community, and his condo in Calgary. He especially loved to jam with his son and nephews. He loved being a Snowbird in Leisure World in Mesa, Arizona as well as Mazatlán, Mexico, pursuing his passion for tennis (including a multitude of lessons) and practice, practice, and more practice. His past successes in badminton at the Calgary Winter Club just mushroomed into his tennis accomplishments.

He was a mentor and teacher to young and old. He had a love of writing and wrote and created Red Deer Lake Stories for his community at Red Deer Lake where he spent the summer mulling around looking for opportunities to write yet another story. He was famous for his love of eating, especially at Prime Rib and Seafood buffets and desserts of any kind.

Brian was a hands-on Dad, who would come home after a full day in the office and get down on the floor to play with Ryan and Carly as they grew up. He also got involved with the Calgary Boys Choir, and Youth Singers of Calgary as a volunteer. He spent quality time teaching his kids snow and water skiing, sailing, and swimming to name a few.

In 1974 he and Sharon volunteered on a medical mission to Haiti where the two of them set up a medical clinic in a remote village in the hills, living with a French priest who only spoke French! He volunteered in the 1988 Calgary Olympics and later volunteered on a board setting up a seniors housing complex for Carter Place in downtown Calgary.

Becoming a Poppa to his twin granddaughters Addy and Georgia was just icing on the cake for him. He loved laying down and playing with them on the floor and spent numerous hours searching out adventures and sharing those with them.

Brian loved his life family and friends and quoted from one of his favorite songs as only Brian could; I DID IT MY WAY!

A Celebration of Brian’s life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.   If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Mustard Seed Street Ministry, 102 – 11 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 0X5 Telephone: (403) 269-1319, www.theseed.ca, the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca.  or to S.T.A.R.S. (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society), Box 570, 1441 Aviation Park N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 Telephone: (403) 295-1811, www.stars.ca.

In living memory of Brian Spence, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.