Brandon Joseph Alan Dempsey
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brandon Joseph Alan Dempsey, age 18, of Moncton and formerly of Amherst on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Moncton Hospital, surrounded by his loving family following a courageous 14-year battle with a brain tumour.
Born in Amherst, Brandon was the beloved son of Jennifer Gouchie, Moncton and Alan Dempsey, Warren. Brandon will be best remembered for his great sense of humour, smile and caring personality. He was a graduate of Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton, having received last week the prestigious Maroon Heart Award as its Unsung Hero. From the time he was diagnosed in 1998, Brandon was a member and volunteer with Brainchild Maritimes, a support group and umbrella organization of the IWK Health Centre in Halifax for the families of children with brain tumours.He was a long-time advocate for the brain tumour community, having been honored for his volunteer efforts throughout the years by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. In 2002, Brandon was selected as the Nova Scotia Poster Child for the Children's Wish Foundation. He was a member of the Athletics New Brunswick as a long distance runner and an avid weight lifter. Brandon loved music, travelling, food, good coffee, and hanging out with his many friends.
Brandon's wish was to become an organ donor and that his brain be donated to research in hopes of finding a cure for others.
Brandon will be cherished and never forgotten. Besides his parents, Brandon will be dearly missed by his brother, Colton; half-sister, Gillian Quesnel; his grandparent, Pat Gouchie; as well as his uncles, Jeffrey Gouchie, Corey (Eleanor) Dempsey, Dale (Linda) Dempsey, and Ronnie (Dianne) Dempsey; aunts, Janice (Greg) Landry and Sandy (Roger) Gouchie; as well as his cousins and extended family.
Brandon was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Earl Gouchie; and paternal grandparents, Melbourne and Roberta Dempsey.
A private family mass will be held at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Amherst. As per Brandon's wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the SickKids Brain Tumour Research Centre.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Campbell's Funeral Home, Amherst (667-9906).
Online condolences and sharing of memories may be done via: www.campbellsamherst.ca.
