Condolences

Dave and the Oxley Family, Our sincere condolences on the passing of your father. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Tom & Marilyn McEwen

-Tom & Marilyn McEwen

Dave: I will let Bob know with regard to your Dad. Our sincere condolences! Carol Ann

-Carol Ann Nicksy

Carol and I are profoundly saddened by Brian’s death. Carol, in particular, loved to chat with him about life in the North East of England, where her family hailed from. We both cherished Brian as an avid music lover and enthusistic amateur violinist. He served on the board of the Festival of the Sound for many years, and to see his seat empty in the Stockey Centre will be heart wrenching for us, and other regular festival musicians. We send our condolences to all in Brian’s family

-James and Carol Campbell

Brian was a lovely man and will certainly be missed. Condolences to his family.

-Kathleen Hall

Brian was that rarest of people – a good friend. He was a good neighbour and colleague who welcomed music into his life at any level, and supported community through music whole heartedly -always ready to meet any musical moment with creative thoughts and ideas, and willing to think about anything deeply – a treasure for an artist to have around. He was a beautiful, sensitive violinist, and even at an advanced age, was willing to tackle almost any piece of music. Brian was the person I turned to for advice in the administration of Whispering River Music. He was a fierce advocate for music education in our community and jumped in with both feet when I said I was going to start a community string orchestra and program in Parry Sound – and we never looked back. He acted as concert master and principle violist initially. He hosted students and stored and repaired student’s instruments. He was always supportive of the creative risks we took – and made sure at the same time that so many of the people that were involved with WRO had a chance to attend the stellar Festival of The Sound. Thank you Brian, you gave so much. I will never forget you and all the music we made together. I couldn’t have done it without you.

-Brenda Margaret Muller

Sorry to read of your father’s passing. He had a full life, remaining fully engaged through all of his years. Music, the daily violin practice, the crosswords kept him sharp. The land kept him active, to live ones life that fully an example to strive for. May the interconnected stories of he and Josephine keep their memories fresh for all of you. “Please don’t walk on the snow.”

-Bruce Herchenrader

As a member of Whispering River Orchestra from the beginning, it was my pleasure to spend many, many, Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons with Brian. He was so appreciated for his violin / viola skills and his many stories and opinions. He was a true gentleman, and he will be missed.

-Louise Nicksy

This is very sad news. Brian was my mentor in the Masters for many years as I needed his thoughts on many matters. I could always trust in his judgements.

-Brian Keaveney

It is too difficult for Rachel and I to express how important Brian was to our lives in Parry Sound. When we arrived for the summer Brian was the first person we reached out to and the last person we said goodbye to as the summer ended. His skill and wide range of interests enhanced our lives and the lives of our children. His sense of humor and genuine pleasure in sharing his eclectic store of knowledge, as well as his desire to learn from others was infectious. Playing music with Brian was rigorous as well as an occasion for laughter, fun and good food. We will deeply miss him.

-John and Rachel Stott

We are very sad to hear of Brian’s passing. He was a true friend and inspiration to us both. We spent many fun hours with him, enjoying his stories, his music, the outdoors at his property, and many other interests (including teaching us how to douse!). You will be missed dearly Brian. Our condolences to the family.

-Elianna Van Raalte and Justin Boeringa

He was simply one of the best. As his former daughter-in-law, I was privileged to call him Dad. As a human being, I was privileged to be enriched by his love, care, knowledge, and attention.
I will never forget the way he made me feel when I would show up at his and Mum’s lovely house. I will miss him ❤️

-Kasia Oxley

Brian was a unique and wonderful man. His accomplishments were numerous and notable. I met him as a patient in his waning years but even then he was full of vigor, curiosity, generosity and music. As for the rest of us mere mortals, this is what we will miss.

-Dr. David Clarke

To all the family of Brian Oxley, Sincere sympathy on the passing of dear Brian . I am sad and thankful at the same time. Sad that he has gone – he was indeed one of a kind, one of a wonderful kind. When will we see his like again. I shall miss him dearly. But I am, of course, so thankful to have known him. He was such an inspiration to me.I loved his love of music, his enthusiasm for so many varied interests, his encouragement of fellow musicians, his wonderful sense of humour – his jokes about. Oxford and Cambridge, his beautiful playing of the violin and viola. I am so thankful that I knew him. Sincere sympathies to you all from Richard and Patricia Poole

-Patricia Poole

My sincere Condolences to family and friends Brian was a very kind person I always loved chatting with him

-Richard Boucher

Brian will be missed! He always had a fun story or anecdote during music practice that shed light into another time and place and made us laugh. He was an intrepid man who did not let age hold him back. I greatly admired Brian and counted myself lucky to have known him. My condolences to the family.

-Nancy Regan

Brian was a sweet and incredibly knowledgeable man. Losing him is a great loss to us all, and especially his family, whom he held in high regard and loved dearly. I got to know Brian and Josephine through their dear friends, Ann Rainey and Helmut Kruger. We shared concerts, meals, cross country skiing and lovely summer evenings, sometimes being buzzed by mosquitoes and other times by hummingbirds. Brian’s spirit will live on through you, his family, and his many friends. He knew what was important: family, friends, music, work, volunteerism, the Festival of the Sound and the peacefulness of his Parry Sound property. The best we can all hope for is to be remembered once we are gone. Brian will be remembered often and by many. Condolences to all.

-Alyson Jurrius

Though my husband Hans and I were actually friends of friends and thus came to be able to stay at Brian’s home a few times over the years during the festival period, he treated us as if we were friends he had chosen. In particular I appreciated the walk he took me on to see the lake on his property and the hut there. I am 8 years younger than he but he was hard to keep up with as he loped up and down the hills. A very gracious and accomplished man whom we were privileged to call our friend.

-Rosalind M Elson

My condolences to your wonderful Father. He and I had a very special relationship and I will always have wonderful memories of my time with him and the very many stories he used to tell me and the great meals we had together. RIP, you’re with Mum once again.

-Susan Stewart