In Memory of Brian H. Anthony

We are saddened to share that our wonderful father, husband and grandfather Brian H. Anthony passed away March 29, 2023 in his 76th year at the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa Ontario. Dad was born in 1947 at home to Roy and Bertha Anthony on Fogo Island, Newfoundland. In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to Bladder Cancer Canada in Dad's memory. 

Dad dedicated his career to public service. After attending Teacher’s College in St. John’s he taught in small outports in northern and central Newfoundland. In the 1970s, he relocated the family to Scarborough, Ontario where he translated his love of a drive to transporting passengers to their jobs and schools for more than 25 years. It was also common to hear us tell our friends “Dad will take us” or “Dad will pick us up” and we could always count on a ride, anytime or anywhere. After Dad retired from the TTC, he worked for Canadian Blood Services setting up donor clinics and delivering blood and platelets to hospitals for patients in need. Beyond his resume, he also spent most of his life helping his friends and family with everything from their car repairs, a tour around the city and Niagara Falls, emceeing a party, providing a place to stay for many family and friends, job searches and tax preparation.

While he dedicated his career to public service, he dedicated his life to his family and friends. He was the proud husband to his wife of 53 years, Rowena (Barnes); a proud father to his daughter Paulette (Allan Tam) and to his son Shawn (Susan Weston), all who survive him. A few years ago, Mom and Dad moved to Ottawa to be closer to their grandchildren Samuel and Lillian. His grandchildren only knew their smiling Poppy who thought everything they said was either kind, funny or smart. For all he was, to us he was a grandfather, father and husband better than he was anything else.

He will be lovingly remembered by siblings Bernice Hynes, Halden Anthony (Marie), Judy Bailey, Noel Anthony (Marilyn), and Pauline Hynes (Kevin). As well, he will be lovingly remembered by the Barnes family as a brother-in-law to Fred (Mary), Harry (Grace), Stan (Maisie), Stewart (Mavis), Audrey Nippard, Winnie Waterman (Charles Hewitt), Frank (Pauline), Don (Glenda), Tom (Hilda), Derrick (Betty), Joyce (Ford) Hillier, and Joseph Legge.

Among the many things that we learned from Dad, right now we remember how he taught us to live our best lives; to laugh as hard as you can and as often as you can; to find humour in almost all situations; to dine and dance with friends whenever you get a chance; love without limit; and when you’re getting ready for a road trip, get on the road early, always keep your tank more than ½ full, ignore maps and never forget when the ferry is crossing.