MACWILLIAM, JAMES "BRIAN" - Born in Calgary, Brian was the beloved son of Jim and Bunny (Ruth Bolton) MacWilliam, and proud big brother of Wendy. A military family, they lived in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Ontario, before settling in Salisbury, NB after his father's death in 1963. Brian loved to swim from the moment he discovered the water. He was a lifeguard at the Salisbury Pool and later during memorable summers at Parlee Beach. He joined the military, traveled the world and moved his own family from the Maritimes to Ontario and Alberta. Retired from the air force as a PERI, Brian and family moved east again to settle in a dream home on the lake. Nestled in the trees, Brian's place is an extension and expression of his life. He swam in and kayaked on the lake, rode his motorcycle everywhere and replanted dozens of trees after Hurricane Juan struck. Brian shared his world with a wide range of incredible family and friends. When you walk through the door of his home, you know you are in a special place. He was passionate about fitness, nature and his recent work with ACTRA, but the greatest love of his life was his daughter, Sarah. Sidekicks from the moment she was born, Brian and Sarah played and went everywhere together. They shared a love of swimming and the lake and everyone knew they would do anything for each other. Sarah once surprised Brian during a shift at the airport with the Corps of Commissionaires after a flight home from Alberta. Last year, he was proud and delighted to walk Sarah down the aisle. Sarah was Brian's best friend and he hers. Brian was building a life with his partner Sarah Teed and her two special boys, Jack and Nicholas. Early morning was Brian's favourite time of day, with his ritual of tea, texting "good morning" to Sarah in Leduc and catching up with family and friends. Sitting there, enjoying the view of his lake from the sunroom, Brian slipped away on Wednesday morning. Brian is loved and missed by his daughter Sarah Bretzer (Matt) of Leduc, Alberta, and her mother Christiane MacWilliam of Ottawa; his sister Wendy MacWilliam of Salisbury; and his fiancée Sarah Teed Estabrooks of Lake Echo. He is deeply missed by his extended family, including special nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts, and a wide range of friends across Canada and around the world.
Arrangements are in care of Dartmouth Funeral Home. At the family's request, there will be no visitation. A casual gathering of family and friends is planned at Brian's home (13 Country Lake Drive, Lake Echo) on Monday, August 1 at 11:00 a.m. In honour of Brian's love of nature, you are encouraged to plant a tree or support your preferred charity in his memory.