NOONAN – R. Brian Noonan
February 3, 1938 – March 24, 2024
Brian Noonan passed away peacefully at Victoria General Hospital at the age of 86 with loving family present. He is survived by Margie, his wife of 62 years; daughters Linda (Dean), Jo-Anne (Gord), Kathy (Marc) and Shelagh, and 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Brian was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, where he attended Campion College. After receiving his BA at St. Dunstan’s University in Charlottetown, he received an LLB from Dalhousie University, Halifax in 1964 where he served as President of the Law Students Society. He practiced law in Brooks, Alberta, and Kelowna and Summerland, BC. In his later years he was a family mediator, and chaired Federal Government Disability Review Tribunals. He was an early proponent and practitioner of alternate dispute resolution as his preferred method to the adversarial approach. Brian was a peacemaker.
Brian was always involved in community affairs including the Brooks Kinsmen Club, and Summerland Rotary Club, for which he was a much-trusted host and organizer in the student exchange program. He served on the Brooks Town Council, Brooks Chamber of Commerce, Summerland Chamber of Commerce and Holy Child Catholic Church Parish Council. He was named Summerland Man of the Year in 1988. He was very proud of his over 40 years plus of sobriety which he credited greatly to his involvement in AA. Brian helped many people with their addictions through the years, including many fellow lawyers.
His greatest love and priority in life was his family which he always put first. He was very much a “people” person but he also dearly loved dogs. Singing in choirs, cycling, and sailing were also his passions, as well as football and basketball during his university years.
The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Clinton-Baker and the caring staff at Broadmead Care on Chatterton Way, Lodge A2, where he resided since August 2023, and for the compassionate care he received from Dr. Cloé Solanki, Dr. Adam Thomas and the wonderful nurses and health care workers in the Trauma Ward at VGH.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, April 20 at 10:30am at Sacred Heart Parish, 4040 Nelthorpe St. Victoria with Fr. Dean Henderson officiating and Fr. Jan Grotkowski concelebrating. The mass will be live-streamed at https://youtube.com/live/Qe-pYeN8GAg
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the BC SPCA, 3150 Napier Ln, Victoria, BC V8T 4V5 or to a charity of your choice.
