Brian Breiland, 82, from Thunder Bay, Ontario, passed away peacefully on February 15th, 2026, surrounded by those who cared for him.
He was born on August 29th, 1943, in Port Arthur to Verna and Haakon Breiland. Sadly, his mother Verna died when Brian was just one year old. After that, Haakon remarried Louise Breiland, who became Brian’s stepmother and gave him two stepbrothers: Earl and Stanley Conners.
Brian made the most of life. He went to Central School and Prospect School before studying at PACI and LCBI Saskatchewan where he trained in accounting. He also took various courses across Manitoba, Calgary, and Edmonton to keep learning.
He had three daughters with his first wife Joanne Halvorson (Vern): Bonnie Breiland, Heather Hambrook (Keith), and Dawn Gulmick (Daren).
Brian spent several years working for Trans Canada pipelines which led him overseas to Douala, Cameroon. That’s where he met Liliane Breiland in 2001 and they fell in love. Brian became a caring father figure to Joseph Breiland, Elianne Button (Nick), Etienne Breiland, Lesly Breiland; together they welcomed Hannah Breiland (Jordan). The family lived in Douala until moving back to Thunder Bay in 2015. There he reconnected with cousins from the Breiland, Watson, and Engberg families. Brian always supported his family deeply-his kids and wife meant everything to him. He aimed for harmony among them all. Beyond being a husband and dad he was also a grandfather as well as a brother cousin uncle and friend who people could count on.
He is remembered fondly by Liliane; children Bonnie Heather Dawn Joseph Elianne Etienne Lesly Hannah; grandchildren Kaylie Jacob Joey Journey Sophia Calvin Luna – all recalling him as kind honest funny generous with a great love of music storytelling too. Brian was preceded in death by his parents Haakon Verna Louise plus brother Stanley.
A celebration of life will take place at the Provincial Room inside the Prince Arthur hotel on February 27th at 5pm.
The funeral service is scheduled for Hilldale Lutheran Church on February 28th at 1:00pm.
A private burial will follow at Sunset Memorial. You can share your condolences online at www. sargentandson. com.
The family wants to thank the team on unit 1A at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre along with St. Joe’s Hospice Team Dr Delpaggio plus many others for their care during this time.
Brian will be truly missed but never forgotten.
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