Obituary for Brian Harry Cook
COOK, Brian Harry
March 5, 1962 – July 3, 2019
It is with deep sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of Brian Harry Cook on July 3, 2019. Brian was born in Calgary, Alberta on March 5, 1962. At only 57 years of age, he suffered from a massive heart incident.
Brian is survived by his wife, Debbie of 31 years; son, Quinn (Hayley); daughter, Morgan (Russell) and their family cat Tigs; brother, Gord Cook (Cindy Nanhybida); and brother, Mike Cook (Moe). Brian also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and friends who will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, Lois and Lloyd Cook.
In 1962, Brian was born to his loving parents Lloyd and Lois Cook. He was the middle child of the three, between the older brother Gord and younger brother Mike.
Brian grew up in Bowness and attended Bowness High School. Brian loved many sports, and learned early to be a team player. Specifically, he was a part of the Bruins bantam AA division city champions. The hockey magazine article covering the championship game read that Brian was “A very speedy winger who can break fast, give and take a lot of abuse.” While attending Bowness High School Brian was one of 6 team captains of the Bowness High School Trojan senior football team, as well as on the badminton team. He was a pitcher that was part of the Western Softball Championships in 1979.
After high school, Brian attended a 3-month tour of Europe. He spoke of the memories of this trip fondly. Telling stories of the drinks and food, or how he managed to get into trouble in almost every country. On this tour, they would award an individual a rubber ducky at the end of each day for silly mishaps. The winner had to wear the rubber ducky the next day. This was a common fashion accessory for Brian during his 3-month adventure.
After returning back to Calgary, he began working with a childhood friend’s father’s company in the bulk bag industry. This opened many doors for Brian.
On August 5, 1988, Brian married Debbie Switzer at Bowness Park. To celebrate they floated down the Bow River in an inner tube. They were blessed with two children. His first born, Quinn, who arrived in September of 1990 and his second born, Morgan, who arrived in January of 1996. Brian always spoke of his children with such love and pride.
Brian eventually became the production manager at Trimeg. He worked 23 years with them, learning the trade and the business. In 2002- 2004, the whole family moved to Saigon Vietnam where he formed several long-term relationships, both personal and business.
In December of 2005, Brian opened his own bulk bag manufacturing company. BWI means (Built with Integrity) or as we all joked, (Brian with Ideas). In which he was always thinking, rearranging, organizing and more thinking. He was married to his work so to speak. There was rarely a moment he would not take a phone call and it showed, as he built the company to what it is today.
Travelling was another love of Brian’s as he enjoyed meeting new people and friends from around the world. Business took him to Vietnam, India, China, Australia, South Korea, the United States and across Canada. Downtime and relaxation led him to purchase property in Los Barilles, Mexico, where he still worked remotely.
The generosity of Brian shined through almost daily. He would gladly leave a huge tip to a wait staff, financial help to a friend that may have been struggling, make donation bags for the food bank, giving thoughtful gifts, helping his brothers with painting fences, building decks or moving big boulders, volunteering at fundraising events, and lastly in his final moments on this earth, donating his organs to help someone else in need.
It seemed Brian’s brain was working 2 or 3 steps faster than most of us. But as Brian would say, the past was ancient history, the present is almost the past and “moving forward” let's focus on the future. “I have no ill feelings to anyone”
Moving forward we will all most certainly miss the big happy generous guy.
Please help the family celebrate Brian’s life:
Sunday July 21 2-4:30 at Camp Chestermere 1041 East Lakeview Rd, Chestermere
In lieu of flowers Brian would of wanted a donation to go to Chestermere Food Bank, or Calgary Food Bank.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Brian please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
March 5, 1962 – July 3, 2019
It is with deep sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of Brian Harry Cook on July 3, 2019. Brian was born in Calgary, Alberta on March 5, 1962. At only 57 years of age, he suffered from a massive heart incident.
Brian is survived by his wife, Debbie of 31 years; son, Quinn (Hayley); daughter, Morgan (Russell) and their family cat Tigs; brother, Gord Cook (Cindy Nanhybida); and brother, Mike Cook (Moe). Brian also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and friends who will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, Lois and Lloyd Cook.
In 1962, Brian was born to his loving parents Lloyd and Lois Cook. He was the middle child of the three, between the older brother Gord and younger brother Mike.
Brian grew up in Bowness and attended Bowness High School. Brian loved many sports, and learned early to be a team player. Specifically, he was a part of the Bruins bantam AA division city champions. The hockey magazine article covering the championship game read that Brian was “A very speedy winger who can break fast, give and take a lot of abuse.” While attending Bowness High School Brian was one of 6 team captains of the Bowness High School Trojan senior football team, as well as on the badminton team. He was a pitcher that was part of the Western Softball Championships in 1979.
After high school, Brian attended a 3-month tour of Europe. He spoke of the memories of this trip fondly. Telling stories of the drinks and food, or how he managed to get into trouble in almost every country. On this tour, they would award an individual a rubber ducky at the end of each day for silly mishaps. The winner had to wear the rubber ducky the next day. This was a common fashion accessory for Brian during his 3-month adventure.
After returning back to Calgary, he began working with a childhood friend’s father’s company in the bulk bag industry. This opened many doors for Brian.
On August 5, 1988, Brian married Debbie Switzer at Bowness Park. To celebrate they floated down the Bow River in an inner tube. They were blessed with two children. His first born, Quinn, who arrived in September of 1990 and his second born, Morgan, who arrived in January of 1996. Brian always spoke of his children with such love and pride.
Brian eventually became the production manager at Trimeg. He worked 23 years with them, learning the trade and the business. In 2002- 2004, the whole family moved to Saigon Vietnam where he formed several long-term relationships, both personal and business.
In December of 2005, Brian opened his own bulk bag manufacturing company. BWI means (Built with Integrity) or as we all joked, (Brian with Ideas). In which he was always thinking, rearranging, organizing and more thinking. He was married to his work so to speak. There was rarely a moment he would not take a phone call and it showed, as he built the company to what it is today.
Travelling was another love of Brian’s as he enjoyed meeting new people and friends from around the world. Business took him to Vietnam, India, China, Australia, South Korea, the United States and across Canada. Downtime and relaxation led him to purchase property in Los Barilles, Mexico, where he still worked remotely.
The generosity of Brian shined through almost daily. He would gladly leave a huge tip to a wait staff, financial help to a friend that may have been struggling, make donation bags for the food bank, giving thoughtful gifts, helping his brothers with painting fences, building decks or moving big boulders, volunteering at fundraising events, and lastly in his final moments on this earth, donating his organs to help someone else in need.
It seemed Brian’s brain was working 2 or 3 steps faster than most of us. But as Brian would say, the past was ancient history, the present is almost the past and “moving forward” let's focus on the future. “I have no ill feelings to anyone”
Moving forward we will all most certainly miss the big happy generous guy.
Please help the family celebrate Brian’s life:
Sunday July 21 2-4:30 at Camp Chestermere 1041 East Lakeview Rd, Chestermere
In lieu of flowers Brian would of wanted a donation to go to Chestermere Food Bank, or Calgary Food Bank.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Brian please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.