Obituary of Simon Warren Brooksbank

June 19, 1943 - Bath, England

April 15, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Simon passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 79 years. 

Simon leaves behind a large family. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Margie; two daughters, Isabel (Steve) and Rachel (Grant); three stepchildren, Jamey, Bryn (Christine), and Jodi (Paul); twelve grandchildren, Gavin, William, James, Brooke, Liz, Julia, Marcus, India, Tayah, Brayden, Chase, and Cela (Katie); and first wife, Judy. He was predeceased by his siblings Peter (d. 2022), Mike (d. 2021), Leila (d. 2007), and his stepson, Brad (d. 2019). 

Born in Bath, England, to Peggy (née Warren) and TJ Brooksbank, Simon enjoyed a happy childhood as much-younger brother to Peter (Jean), Mike (Molly), and Leila (Harry). He had vivid memories of time spent with family and friends at Westward Ho! in Devon, Newton House in Blisland, Everton and Lymington in the New Forest, and sailing at Keyhaven; all of these years carefully recorded in his personal journals. He attended boarding school at Upcott House and Blundell’s schools, then continued his education by studying engineering at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, Royal School of Mines in London. While at school he built friendships and memories that endured for the rest of his life. 

Simon was immensely proud of his accomplishments as a mining engineer. His employment with Inco brought him to Canada in 1967, shortly after marriage to Judy. Over the course of his career, he moved from eastern Canada (Sudbury and the Greater Toronto area, where he started his family), to Sulawesi, Indonesia, and then back to Canada, moving westward in 1980 to take a position with Monenco in Vancouver and then in Calgary. Simon’s work took him all over the globe with projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Columbia, Guatemala, and Tanzania.  

It was ultimately Calgary where Simon spent most of his time, and where he met Margie, his kindred spirit, whom he married in 1988. Simon deeply valued family connection and created a loving, blended family with his own and Margie’s children. Together they forged a life in Calgary surviving many teenagers, and eventually celebrating many grandchildren. He and Mrs. B. also embraced multiple house moves, renovations, and trips throughout the years. He returned to Calgary in October 2021, after seven years of enjoying their beautiful home and neighbours in Osoyoos, BC. Simon’s family was multi-faceted, complete with immediate, steps, in-laws, and “outlaws”, as he liked to call his step- and ex-in-laws; his extended family relationships endured beyond the end of his first marriage and were a testament to his gift for maintaining bonds with those whom he cared about.  

Simon was happiest debating at the dinner table or tinkering with his latest carpentry project in his garage. He had a profound love of language and music and was an eloquent writer. He thoroughly enjoyed reading historical books and the newspaper, both no doubt informing those aforementioned debates. Simon had an open heart and an infectious laugh, and was loved by animals and children, a love that he fully reciprocated. In the words of a dear friend and colleague, “Simon was a top draw guy”. Indeed, he was. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Simon’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

The family wishes to thank the Alberta Health Home Care Dementia Team and the staff in the Maples Ward at Cedars Villa Extendicare, both of whom provided tremendous support to us and Simon in the last months of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en

In living memory of Simon Brooksbank, 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.

Click Here to View Simon Brooksbank's Memorial Card

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