February 23, 1968 - May 15, 2021
In Loving Memory ~
It was with profound sadness that we learned that Brian had not surfaced while scuba diving, on May 15th of this year at Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, BC. He was 53 years old.
Brian leaves to mourn his loss, his wife of twenty-one years, Jennifer Cook of Kamloops, BC; parents Barry and Barbara Lannon of Forest Grove, BC; brother Rory (Michelle) Lannon and niece and nephew Sophie and Tommy of Maple Ridge, BC along with aunts, uncles, family in-law, and many, many friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his beloved dog, Lady, who was never far from his thoughts.
Brian was born in Vancouver, BC but moved to Kitimat and then to the 100 Mile House area with his family when he was very young. Throughout his youth he developed a great love for the outdoors and gained many skills that would shape his life in later years.
Brian was a rare person who could figure out most things, mechanical, construction or otherwise. He considered these gifts to be practical and common-sense - he seemed to store these things in his mind and did not require the help of Google.
While he began his working days as a steel fabricator, Brian's working-life revolved around his service with Kamloops Fire Rescue. He spent twenty-six years with KFR and was a Captain at the time of his passing. He had opportunity to move to other positions within the department but always wanted to be on the floor 'with his guys'. Brian had deep empathy for people and wanted to help and protect them whenever he could. The fire service was an excellent fit for him.
A quiet person by nature, people were amazed by the beautiful things Brian created - from cedar strip kayaks, to furniture, to gates and pieces of art. He had a plan to combine his love of wood and metal into a business in retirement, but I'm not sure he would have let anything go! He even built a guitar which he played from time to time.
Brian would fondly share memories of the epic adventure race he participated in with fellow firefighters, which I think he enjoyed more than the Ironman triathlon he completed.
He also spent many years downhill skiing and was a member of the ski patrol at Sun Peaks in his younger years - somewhere along the line there is a famous story about an altercation with a grouse... He had a great sense of humour and laughed freely amongst those who knew him well.
He liked the quiet of paddling on a lake, or hiking in the woods and could set up a very comfortable camp site. In contrast, enjoyed the rumble of a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
While we all wish Brian could have made it to retirement - he was so close - so he could have checked-off a few more things, he did not hold back in enjoying life. Scuba diving had become his passion and like all things he engaged in, he threw himself into it fully. If there is any kind of silver-lining, he spent his life, right up to the last moment, with the people he loved, in a beautiful place, on a warm and sunny day with laughter and a smile.
No formal public service is planned, but the family does wish to acknowledge the overwhelming respect and love shown to Brian during his 'last ride home'. There are no words to describe this incredible tribute.
In Brian's honour, please thank and support members of our emergency response community - Fire Rescue, RCMP, BC Ambulance and everyone else who shows up on our worst days. It truly takes special people to do this work.
"The best measure of a life well lived has less to do with the number of years we live, but with how others' lives were touched by our presence."