Brian Donald Wiese (October 15, 1944 to June, 22 2023) passed peacefully at Hospice Simcoe in Barrie, Ontario. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years Susan (Arnott) and his three children Marie, Sarah (Jeff) and Laura. He is predeceased by his parents Albert and Laura Wiese (Ginther) of Niagara Falls, Ontario his first wife Suzanne (Gagnon) and son Louis, and his sister Carol (Tom) Webster and son in law David Tarrant (Marie). He is also survived by his two brothers Wayne (Janet) and Gary (Sharon) Wiese. Brian was the most loving and wonderful grandfather to his six amazing grandchildren, Susanna (Dylan), Jackson and Macy, Grady, Sam and Foster and three great-grandchildren Audrey, Dawson and Hayden.
Brian excelled at everything in his life, especially as a husband, dad, brother, and friend. He was born and raised in Niagara Falls, attended Laura Secord Public School, and AN Myer Highschool. He was an exceptional athlete playing many sports including football, baseball, basketball and track winning a gold at OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations). He was inducted in the AN Myer Hall of fame in 2015. He cultivated wonderful friendships with his “Up South” high school friends for 60 years.
Brian was a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and completed his teaching degree at the University of Toronto, teaching from 1967-1998 in Sudbury and Barrie, Ontario. He made a difference in many students lives as a teacher, guidance counselor and Co-Op Coordinator for Simcoe County. He coached basketball, football and badminton, sharing his love of sports and sportsmanship. He enjoyed golf and pickle ball in his later years and still had the competitive spirit he always had. This love of competition served him well playing any type of card game. He was a master of cribbage, euchre, poker and a stellar trivia player. Brian loved a good joke, was a genius at puns, and loved to laugh.
A huge part of Brian’s life were his skills as a maker and fixer of all things. He built his house in Shanty Bay and two cottages on Livingstone Lake where he put so much of his time and effort. He could build anything with a beaver stick, created beautiful keepsake boxes and could turn anything into a lamp or table. His handiwork will live on in the house and these two cottages. The cottage was where he did his best work with his grandchildren. The many Argo rides, gravel golf and listening to his “old guy” music, and fishing were many highlights. Bopa was beloved by his grandchildren. His wisdom and insights will live long into their adult lives. He was their biggest cheerleader and friend.
The family would like to invite you to a Wake in his memory on Thursday August 17, from 3-7pm at the Barrie Golf and Country Club (635 St Vincent Street North, Barrie, Ontario). We thank the staff at Royal Victoria Hospital and Hospice Simcoe for their care and concern.
If interested, please donate on his behalf to Hospice Simcoe https://hospicesimcoe.ca/ , David Busby Centre https://www.busbycentre.ca/ or Royal Victoria Hospital https://www.rvh.on.ca/ .
Words of condolence may be left for the family at www.peacefultransition.ca