BLICK, Brian Robert

P7052072
November 27, 1945 – May 11, 2016

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Brian Blick following a brief battle with cancer. He is predeceased by his father Jack Blick who started CJOB in Winnipeg. Brian is survived by loving wife, Sylvia; mother Betty (Sherwood Park, AB); twin brother Barry and wife Cynthia Brown (Calgary, AB); sister Barbara (New York City, NY); sister Diane (Sherwood Park, AB); brother, Denis How and wife Carlynn (Kamloops, BC) and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

Brian was born in Winnipeg, half an hour behind his brother Barry and Brian loved to tell people that so they knew he was younger. Growing up together was great fun for them but Brian was always the one to take more chances and had more than his fair share of scrapes and bruises. Summers at West Hawk Lake were adventures. Brian attended Grosvenor Elementary School, Ravenscourt School, River Heights Middle School, and Kelvin High School. Over the years he maintained friendships with a number of kids he was friends with in those early years.

It never mattered what Brian decided to do, he did it well as he was a perfectionist. Brian’s first job was at Eaton’s, then CP and CN as a trainman and as a Front Office Manager at CN Hotel’s Fort Garry in Winnipeg. In the mid 70’s Brian moved to Calgary where he worked with Rosedale Linen. His railway experience and transportation interest took him to Calgary Transit, first as an operator, a C-Train operator and eventually to Supervisor where he assisted in the transportation co-ordination at the 1988 Winter Olympics. His final position there was as Lead Inspector and he retired from Calgary Transit after 17 years of service.

On July 1, 1991, Brian married Sylvia and they had great times and did everything together…including looking after their consulting company. Sylvia dealt with clients and Brian looked after the back office stuff, kept everything in order and dealt with the accountants, CRA, etc. They loved cooking together and entertaining. In 1994, they bought their first motorhome and loved to go camping with their two dogs, Bartles and Jaymes. In the early years, much time was spent at McLean Creek. They also loved to travel in Canada and the U.S. visiting family and friends and spending time at various campgrounds. Brian loved people and was always striking up conversations with those around him…and more often than not, making them laugh.

There will be a Celebration of Life within the next couple of months and an announcement for that will be published in due course. Brian loved animals and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Calgary Humane Society at 4455 – 110th Ave SE, Calgary, T2C 2T7.

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  1. On May 14, 2016 at 6:12 am Pam & Hugh Leiper Said:

    Sylvia: Hugh and I are heartbroken for your loss. Brian was always so friendly, upbeat with a great laugh. I remember when you parked your home, along with Bartles and Jaynes, in our driveway. You seemed such a devoted couple. Please know our thoughts are with you. xxoo Pam and Hugh

  2. On May 14, 2016 at 7:48 am Arthur Blankstein Said:

    I was very saddened to read that Brian had passed away. My condolences are extended to his wife Sylvia, his mother Betty and his twin brother Barry.
    I am one of those many friends and acquaintances that Brian nurtured over the years.
    Both Brian and Barry were with me from kindergarten at Grosvenor School, River Heights and Kelvin.
    In our early years we would go to Shmockey Night at the old hockey rink at Broadway and Osborne.
    After time had passed we became friends again through the vehicle of Facebook!
    As I approach my 72nd year I marvel at how many of our classmates are around to read this.
    Cherish all your memories.

  3. On May 14, 2016 at 9:33 am Hamish Donaldson Said:

    My condolences. I remember him from years ago at West Hawk Lake. We had good times water-skiing, along with other kids.

    I seem to remember the twins wearing metal braces for a summer because of a knee problem.

    Sorry to hear about the passing.

    All the best. H.

  4. On May 14, 2016 at 5:48 pm Peter McIntyre Said:

    He was always one of the nicest people. It is with a great deal of tears that I write this.I have known Brian most all of my 73 years.He will be missed by all that knew him and especially Sylvia and his family.

  5. On May 15, 2016 at 7:43 am David & Barbara Said:

    Sylvia: we are deeply saddened by the news of Brian’s passing. Our thought and prayers are with you at this time. God bless you and give you strength; with love David and Barbara.

  6. On May 15, 2016 at 12:09 pm Charlotte Seehawer Said:

    Dearest Sylvia, I was shocked to hear of Brian’s passing. I always enjoyed talking with him. Miss seeing you guys on your daily drive by. I think he would be happy to know that I quit smoking 4 months ago. The yard ornament that you guys so kindly gave me will always be a reminder of Brian. My deepest condolences to you as you grieve the loss of your friend and husband.

  7. On May 15, 2016 at 2:30 pm Lee Kirkpatrick Said:

    Hi Sylvia,
    I was saddened to read today, of Brian’s passing this past Wednesday.
    I remember our trips out to Mclean Creek, to have fabulous barbeques with you and Brian. Great dinners at Pasu Farms and bumping along, in your jeep, over gravel roads, to Kananaskis for a beer, for me a glass of wine, and back to Mclean Creek. Such fun days!
    I wish and pray for you to have that peace and happiness back in your life soon….it really does happen.
    Sincerely.
    Lee Kirkpatrick

  8. On May 16, 2016 at 8:23 am Barbara Gusnoski (Hubbs) Said:

    My condolences for the loss of Brian. I remember Brian from Kelvin and his friendship with my brother David.

    With sincere sympathy.

  9. On May 16, 2016 at 8:25 am Barbara Gusnoski (Hubbs) Said:

    My condolences for the loss of Brian. I knew him at Kelvin and he was friends with my brother David.
    With deepest sympathy.

  10. On May 17, 2016 at 7:13 am Mark Florentine Said:

    Sylvia and family,

    I am so incredibly saddened to hear this horrible news and I cannot even imagine the sadness and loss your family must be experiencing during this time. Brian was an absolute gem. I loved coming over when I visited Calgary, our dinners/BBQ’s were always something I anticipated and will always remember. Brian had a fantastic sense of humor and who can forget his contagious laugh. Sylvia, it was so apparent that you two were so very much in love, it was obvious how much Brian absolutely loved/adored you and you him. My heart is breaking for you right now, as I cannot fathom losing the love of your life and best friend so suddenly. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family, I hope to see you sometime…

    Love,

    Mark

  11. On May 17, 2016 at 7:28 am Mark Florentine Said:

    Sylvia and family,

    I am so saddened to hear this news and can only imagine what emotions your family must be experiencing during this horrible time. Brian was an absolute gem. He had such a fantastic sense of humor and a laugh that was contagious. I always looked forward to visiting Calgary and anticipated our dinners/BBQ’s, those times will never be forgotten. Sylvia, it was always so obvious to me how much Brian loved/adored you and you him. I cannot even begin to fathom the sense of loss you and your family are experiencing. I write this note as my heart breaks for you Sylvia, losing the love of your life and best friend so suddenly just seems so incredibly unfair. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I hope things becomes easier with time…

    Love,

    Mark

  12. On May 20, 2016 at 1:55 pm Joanne Hill(Dick) Said:

    Barry and family,
    Deeply saddened to hear of Brian’s passing. The Kingsway/Harvard gang has lost a great member. We had a great time growing up from kindergarten on. My thoughts are with you.
    Sincerely
    Joanne

  13. On May 24, 2016 at 1:50 pm Laura and Charlotte Said:

    Dear Sylvia and family. My mother and I met Brian and you at the FMC Hospital, where
    both stayed across each other for many weeks. It was so nice to have met you both and
    I was glad to see his bright smile each time I visited my mother, Charlotte. He was
    always an inspiration to my mother and I when were going thru a difficult time. We are
    so deeply saddened to hear that he was unable to find a cure and that he has passed so
    suddenly. You were such a sweet, loving, amazing couple… I was sure that he would get
    better. I can’t even imagine how the loss of such an amazing love feels for you. You seem
    like a strong person, like Brian was, and I know that he is with you in spirit…
    just look for him in the rainbows and cherish all the wonderful moments you spent together.
    We are truly shocked and you are in our thoughts and hearts. We will forever be touched by
    him, even though we did not get the chance to know him longer.
    Sincerest Sympathy,
    Laura Grove and Charlotte Gow