Brian Walter Head
1942 - 2018
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Lorraine Lewis posted a condolence
Friday, November 2, 2018
Although at such a time as this, your many friends will say that time will ease your sorrow and take your grief away, what is truer and more comforting is to know, deep in your heart, that in cherished thought and memory loved ones never really part.
Deepest sympathy and special thoughts to you Mary and the Head family.
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Deanna Horwood, Wanda Kay & families posted a condolence
Friday, November 2, 2018
Thinking of you at this time of sorrow.
To let you know we are thinking of you and to express our sincere sympathy to all of the family.
Family.. one of life's greatest blessings... always in your heart.
The Salmond Family from Mississagon Lake,Cloyne, Ontario
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Carol and Percy Head posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Such a beautiful tribute to Brian from Vic Penner. Truer words were never spoken “Love Thy Neighbor” . We will all miss Brian in our own ways.May Mary,Randy Karin and families find comfort in knowing he got a lot out of life from travelling to visiting and his love of ranching . Sincerely cousin Percy and Carol
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Vic Penner posted a condolence
Monday, October 29, 2018
Brian Made Me Richer
I have only the vaguest recollection of the first time I met Brian Head. It was about forty years ago. I was twenty or just about and still living with my parents. I owned a handful of cows and when a stray landed in our yard it was mine to deal with. It took the longest time to figure out who owned her. In my young mind I think I dreamed of selling the cow and making a windfall, or at least charging an exorbitant rate for feeding her in the meantime. When Brian showed up, if I remember right, in an old green ford pickup and stock racks, I was disappointed; my windfall was not to be. Little did I know then how much richer than that this man would make me.
I’m talking about way more than just the money he saved me when I couldn’t afford a vet and he would come anytime of the day or night to pull a calf or to preform what Susanne called meatball surgery to sew up a prolapsed uterus or whatever. He was always ready to share his knowledge when I was interested; tell me of other similar cases that were just a little different, and what he had learned. He shared his successes and things he had tried and had failed. As needed we came to share, back and forth, our tools or animal health products we might happen to be short of. He let me know I was doing okay, I could handle it. In time, I didn’t call him as often and then once in a while there were others calling to see if I could help them.
There was also the spring that I had rationed my bales so they would last to the day the truck came to take the cows to the community pasture. That spring was cold and late. What was I to do when the pasture administrator called to say that pasture take-in was to be delayed for a couple of weeks? Yes, Brian helped me out, I don’t remember the deal we made. I think I just replaced the feed somehow, sometime. I doubt I had any money. He told me some years later when I brought it up that he had known what if felt like to be short of feed and he didn’t want me to have to feel it alone. He let me, in his own way, know that we are all richer when we think about others feelings and not just our own.
I loved the twinkle in Brian’s eye and the smile that went with it. In the best kind of way, he was still a boy. That piece of ground from the corner of township road 714 and the forestry trunk road south to the Simonette and west to the Smoky was his sandbox and I got the feeling he enjoyed it every day. He loved innovation and mechanical marvels. Equipment of any kind intrigued him especially in the fields of agriculture, logging and mining. I wonder if he didn’t enjoy some of his happiest times on a D7 cat. Something I learned from him is that things don’t need to be conquered to be enjoyed. He loved to figure something out but it didn’t bother him when he couldn’t or didn’t, he was just happy when it did its job. I was more than once cheered by his interest in my operation and the projects I attempted. For him, it seemed, the world was a place of wonder, beauty and marvels all waiting to be discovered.
I wouldn’t have been surprised if Brian and Mary had never left the farm. I think their travels started with forays south into the states for cheap ivomec. This expanded over time to trips to unique destinations like Tuktoyaktuk via the Dempster highway sleeping in the back of their SUV and as far away as Australia. I was always happy when they stopped by to share the pictures and stories of their adventures. Obviously, Brian loved people. He always brought back stories of how people did things in other places; interesting characters and personalities he’d met. A neighbor put it well when he said Brian kept to himself without keeping to himself. He was quiet and never got in the way or monopolized the spotlight but he would speak up when it was appropriate. More than once I remember conversations or stories taking a turn that put someone in a compromising or negative light and Brian would counter with something like, “He was probably thinking ...”. This would put a totally positive spin on the person or situation.
Brian did some things for the sheer enjoyment of them. His sleds and sled dogs added nothing to the bottom line of his operation except maybe to clean up a few carcasses. They added a lot of work but they also added a lot of enjoyment too, for those he shared it with. It is encouraging and refreshing to be with someone who is free to be himself and is not worried about convention or what is the latest fashion. It makes us all freer to be ourselves.
Brian and Mary were a team like no other. I never saw anything in them but mutual appreciation and admiration for each other. They appeared to be each other’s greatest supporters. Like everyone else they suffered their share of disappointments and setbacks. I remember a shoulder injury that took forever to recover from. I’m not sure Brian ever fully recovered. They didn’t hide it but they didn’t complain either. They were just matter of fact about it and kept on helping each other through. This world could use more people like that. We don’t need to build empires; what we really all want is a community to contribute to and to find our place to fit into it.
Our lives intersected somewhat sporadically yet I cherish all the time we spent together. Brian was a gem of a man and exactly what I needed in a neighbour. I had really hoped to spend more time together and get to know each other better. I’m sorry it was not to be. I miss him. All the best wishes to you. Mary, Karen and Randy as you carry on without him. My thoughts and prayers go with you.
Vic Penner
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George and Bonnie Flintoff posted a condolence
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Blessings to you Mary and all the family.
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Roy & Marie Stark posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
We were so sorry to hear of Brian's passing. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you Mary and to all the Head family.
Roy & Marie Stark
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Danny & Janice Dorscheid posted a condolence
Sunday, September 30, 2018
To The Families
We are so sorry of yours great loss. Brian will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
We hope all your fond memories will help to ease the pain overtime.
Our thoughts go out to you all.
Danny & Janice Dorscheid
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corbin pelham lit a candle
Saturday, September 29, 2018
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Claudette posted a condolence
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Thoughts and prayers to the family, Randy and Karen I am thinking of you!!!
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Christine Fester posted a condolence
Friday, September 28, 2018
Mary, Randy, Karen and family, so sorry for your great loss.
Our deepest sympathy during this difficult time. Our love
and prayers.
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Dr. Dhir and staff of Plaza Dental Clinic posted a condolence
Friday, September 28, 2018
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all
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Ruth Kirscht lit a candle
Friday, September 28, 2018
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Rhonda Antonio posted a condolence
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Our deepest condolences. So very sorry for your loss.
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Ray and Barb Newman lit a candle
Thursday, September 27, 2018
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Barbara Newman posted a condolence
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Mary, Randy, Karen and family,
There will always be heartache and often a silent tear but always precious memories of the time together.
Our deepest sympathy.
Ray and Barb Newman
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Dianne Marcy posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Sending condolences to family.
Sorry to hear of Brian’s passing.
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Sharon Nielsen lit a candle
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
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The family of Brian Walter Head uploaded a photo
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
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Please wait
Saturday
3
November
Celebration of Life
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Debolt Centre
Main Street
Debolt, Alberta, Canada
Bear Creek Funeral Home Ltd.
Grande Prairie11802 99 Avenue | Fairview11130 101 Avenue |