WO Edward John Brien, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Edward John Brien, CD (Ret’d), at home in Chilliwack BC on 25 March 2022, just short of his 92^nd birthday, after a long illness.

Ed was born in Coachman’s Cove NL. He began his working life as a teenager and continued working well into his 70s. Ed enlisted in the Canadian Forces with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1958 and served a full military career of 21 years as a Field Engineer. He spent much of his military career with 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON and in Germany with 4 Field Squadron.  After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Ed retired in Chilliwack and worked with the Public Service for another 12 years as a Correctional Officer at the Kent Institution.

He was an industrious, resourceful fellow who could repair almost anything and who firmly believed that “if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well!” He had a wonderful sense of humour and was the happiest puttering in his garden, enjoying a game of Scrabble after dinner with Loretta, or clapping along at a Newfoundland-style kitchen party. Ed served St. Mary’s Parish of Chilliwack for many decades in various capacities including as head usher. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Parish on 1 April 2022 at 2:00 pm. Ed’s family is suggesting a donation to either the Canadian Lung Association or the Canadian Red Cross for the people of Ukraine. Online condolences can be sent to the Chilliwack Progress.