I’d known Brian for many years at TVOntario,and since both of our retirements we’ve re-shaped and enjoyed our new lives. Brian always wanted to be remembered as a lover of family, dogs, and his homestead. As for me, I’ve assembled a 12-year-old Blog, along with our Cabbagetown house, garden and photography selling business. Brian is survived by his wife Suzanne (neé Womersley), sons Matthew (Kathleen), Peter (Tessa), and daughter Sarah (Scott); grandsons Parker and baby James, and four-legged friends Layla and Zoë. His parents C. John (Jack) Elston and Elsie (neé Oke). With the help of his Dad Jack, he built a one-tube radio as a child. And spent endless hours in his room on Concession Street listening to legendary Wolfman Jack as he howled throughout the night. Whereas my late nights were spent listening to a.m. radio stations from The US and Canada. Today I’m a fan of The Radio Garden.
Brian’s happiest times were spent at home. If he wasn’t cutting the grass, tilling the garden, or fussing with some technology or other, he was walking the dogs or floating in the pool, weather permitting. At day’s end, he liked nothing better than sharing a drink with Suzanne on the deck, his retrievers on either side of him, and he’d watch the sun go down over the fields that once were farmed by his grandfather.
He told his beloved wife Suzanne, the day before he died as they walked the snowy field around their home, that his life was perfect. Brian, you couldn’t do better than that. I’ll always remember you at TVOntario, and the time you were interested in my grandmother’s 1946 radio, which I happened to have partly on my Blog. “Bless you, Brian.”