ILLINGWORTH: Well Family, friends and neighbours, we are here today to remember our Son, brother, uncle and gentleman all wrapped up in one. On Feb. 8, 1948 Brian, along with his twin brother Bruce were born in the Notre Dame Hospital, now called Battlefords Union Hospital. At that time Brian and Bruce were the first set of twins born there. Upon their arrival home their oldest sister switched name tags, but Mom got the tags back on the right one. What are big sisters for? As time went on another sister came along, Eleanor by name; then the youngest sibling, a brother by the name of Alvin. In the future years, school comes along. The first years were spent in a country school called East Hill. Brian's first teacher was Hazel Acaster, who later became his cousin upon her marriage to Doug Illingworth. In the spring it was off to school with his brother and sister by horse and cart. Winter was over the fields by horse and cutter. To keep warm it was heated by a sturdy five gallon pail made into a small stove. Times were hard but he along with his siblings made it through. Then the country school closed and he had to walk from home to the highway to catch the school bus. But that too changed, and the bus came to the end of the driveway. School time came to an end and Brian got his first job. It was as a dietary aide at the Saskatchewan Hospital. It was there that Brian found out he liked cooking and so he applied at SIAST for commercial cooking. Upon completion of that course he got a job in the Yukon. After he finished this job he returned to be with his brother. He was so close to Bruce that he just had to be back with him. It was then off to Kitimat where he worked in Alcan on the pot lines for four years. It was then that the call of Northern BC got the best of Brian and so Brian and Bruce started work in the logging industry. Brian and Bruce bought their first big truck and did some gravel hauling. It then turned into a large semi-tractor and 50/50 Contractors were born. While Brian worked in Tackle Mill, he made a living by 30 years of labor. It was our pride and joy when Brian got a license to run a BC Trackmobile. As time went on our brother Bruce passed away and Brian continued to work a little longer before he retired. Then it was time to come back to Saskatchewan. It was exactly seven years and one month that he lived with his sister Alice. He was fun to have around in so many ways. His greatest love was for his family; sisters Alice Grove, Eleanor (Bob) Widdowson, brother Alvin Ilingworth, his nieces Linda Paradis, Tara Widdowson and Stacey Illingworth, his very special great nephew Jaydon Paradis and great niece Avery Rose Paradis. Also his heart was so proud to have his loving mother Isabella Weber. Jaydon and Avery loved their uncle Brian so much, but they had a very special name for him. This special name came about because Brian always ended his statement by saying "What". So the little ones thought that was his name, thus they called him uncle What. On May 20, 2011 Brian passed away with his sisters, niece Linda and his great niece and nephew with him. Brian will be remembered by his loving mother Isabella Weber; sisters Alice and Eleanor (Bob); brother Alvin; nieces Linda, Tara and Stacey; great niece and nephew, Avery and Jaydon. Brian was predeceased by his father Alfred, brother Bruce, brother -in-law Bruce Grove, aunts and uncles and grandparents. We all know Brian is with his brother and dad and they will be fishing and telling fish stories. Brian we all loved you! We will miss you, but we know you will be resting in peace. Thank you to all of the Doctors, nurses, and staff of both Emergency and ICU. We would also like to thank all of our family, friends and neighbours for your love and support. The Service of Remembrance for Brian was held on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Sallows and McDonald Funeral Home. Interment took place at the City of North Battleford Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations in Brian's memory may be made to the Battlefords Humane Society (751 - 114th Street North Battleford, SK S9A 2M7) or Canadian Cancer Society (1141 101st St. North Battleford, SK S9A 0Z5). Condolences for the family may be left at Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Nicole Welford of Sallows & McDonald Funeral Home, North Battleford, SK. (306) 445-2418 ____________________________________________________
