Obituary of Brian Lawrence Staff

Staff, Brian - February 18, 1945-June 17, 2016. As written by Brian himself. By the time you read this I should be a big cloud in the sky. Born to Lavelle and Lu Staff. I was the second of three boys. I grew up in the grape growing climate in Ontario. I got in all the trouble that kids usually do. In 1966 I met the love of my life, Marilyn Cosby, and we were married in 1967. I stayed farming and she started her career with CIBC. I was so proud to see her move up in the financial world. We snowmobiled in many places and travelled the world in every direction, making great memories and meeting great people. I joined many clubs and organizations that I thought helped my fellow man. In 2005 my world came to a crashing end when the love of my life passed from cancer. My heart went with her. I knew I couldn't be in the same house alone, so I moved to the Orchards Retirement Home. Over the years many men impressed me: my grandpa; my father; my first fire chief, Doug McNinch, a true mover and shaker; my second fire chief and my farming idol, Bob Bowen; Don Hallett, an honest man. Many friends were made over the years, you know who you are. At the Orchards, a group of men, all agriculturists from all over Ontario, took me in to their group, calling themselves the Sod Busters. I thoroughly enjoyed our meetings. Adriaan and Alvira Rottier, and their entire family, were always there for Marilyn and me, Dr. M. Manjos was always there to kick my butt, Doug and Jane McArthur whose many visits I enjoyed. The staff at the Orchards always went above and beyond for me. When you read this, there will not be any visitation or service. I am asking you to crack open a bottle of Sue-Ann's Riesling, find a nice, big shade tree, or if it's cold, a nice, hot fire and say one thing for me. I hope it's "friend".