In memory of

Brian James Hurst

February 14, 1933 -  September 14, 2024

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Brian, age 91, on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Beloved husband of Yvonne, brother-in-law of Elise and Roger Avis, father of David, and uncle of Robert and Dario. Brian was adored by his UK family, Linda and Julie and was a dearly loved grandfather, granduncle, and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto on September 28th, with visitation 2:00 p.m. and a service at 3:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Cremation to follow at a later date.

Guestbook 

(5 of 13)

Joan Roberts 

Entered September 21, 2024 from Toronto

Sorry to hear that Brian has passed away. He certainly had a tough year. May he rest in peace. Brian will be missed. I'm glad to have meet him. Condolences to Yvonne and family.
Joan Roberts RPN

Andre Welsh (Friend)

Entered September 21, 2024

I'm sorry for your loss.

Beth Abramson (Family Friend)

Entered September 21, 2024 from Toronto

Yvonne and family, I was so saddened to hear of your loss. Wishing you strength during this very difficult time. M(ay you be able to reflect on happy memories in the near future.

Fondly,

Beth Abramson

Richard Frsnk (Scotiabank colleagues)

Entered September 21, 2024 from #720, 185 Dunlop St E, Barrie ON L4M 0L7

A fine gentleman, good boss as Comptroller and friend. Smart, diligent, professional, fair, good sense of humour. A privilege to have known him.

Alex (Grandson)

Entered September 21, 2024

When you imagine a grandparent - a grandfather, and what you’d hope they’d be like, there are obvious words that come to mind. Supportive. Caring. Kind. Generous. I’m fortunate that I had the privilege of experiencing all of this - and more during my time with him.

After moving to Toronto in my twenties with no family nearby, my grandparents were quick to be the family support we both needed. I say ‘we’ because they were supportive, kind, and welcoming to my (now) wife - who’d found herself having moved to Canada with no family on this side of the globe. We were so lucky and so grateful to connect with them, especially later in my own life.

As a kid, you have great memories with family, but as an adult, you’re able to really appreciate what makes them great people.

From checking in on work and life every few weeks (seriously - he knew more about my employer than I did) To taking us to dinner and drinks at Il Fornelo every month (seriously - when grandpa finds a place he likes, that’s it). To taking the time to walk me through the nuance of their incredible dishware collection (seriously - it probably belongs in an art museum somewhere). To always (always) sending a card and gift on special days (seriously - they never missed a day, likely thanks to grandma). To sending newspaper articles and clippings he’d found about my employer (did I already say he knew more about my employer than I did?). It was in these moments I really got to learn about the type of man and person he was. Supportive. Caring. Kind. Generous.

I also know that a big part of who he was and all of these traits that made him so great in my eyes, was largely due to his partner in life - Yvonne. My grandfather was a creature of comfort, and more than happy to live a life of routine (trust me, this was genetic - thanks grandpa). His loving wife was the perfect balance to this, getting him up and out.. and then managing to charm whoever she spoke to. This would include their taxi driver, their grocery delivery person, their servers, their doorman, literally anyone they’d run into (seriously - I’ve seen it first hand). She was a great compliment to grandpa but also embodied many of those traits mentioned above. Supportive. Caring. Kind. Generous. Without her, I’m confident I wouldn’t have had the true pleasure of forging the level of connection I did with grandpa. And I’m eternally grateful for that.

I also know that there are stories and experiences I haven’t heard and might never know. One of the last times I’d spoken to grandpa he mentioned a story from his air force training that would’ve “made my hair stand on end” .. but it was the kind of story "that had to be told in person". We never had that chance, but I know he touched the lives of many - and there will be someone to help me fill in some of those gaps.

Supportive. Caring. Kind. Generous. Grandpa.

Photos 

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