John Stevenson BREMNER

BREMNER, John Stevenson Col.(ret'd), OMM, CD 1943 - 2013 John lived his life following a diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer in Summer 2011, very much as he lived it prior: with courage, determination, humour, grace and intelligence. Although his strength of character allowed him to survive beyond expectations, sadly John passed away at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria on Friday, 19th April, 2013. John emigrated with his family from Edinburgh, Scotland to Canada in 1954, where they settled in BC. After completing his schooling, he enrolled in the Canadian Army and was commissioned in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in 1964. His armed forces career of 37 years included commanding the Second Battalion PPCLI in Winnipeg, instructing at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, two tours with NATO forces in Germany and peacekeeping with the UN in Egypt. Later in his career he was a member of the DND senior policy staff in Ottawa and served abroad as defence advisor at Canadian diplomatic missions in Egypt, Malaysia and India. He also worked in Sudan, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Nepal and Bangladesh. Along the way he completed a master's degree at Queen's University and graduated from the National Defence College of Canada. After leaving the armed forces in 1998, John established a small but successful consulting business in Victoria, which focused primarily on emergency management. In his spare time he earned a private pilot's licence and spent many hours over southern Vancouver Island perfecting his flying skills and enjoying the scenery. He was also very active in his local community association. John is survived by his spouse of 48 years, Carol, children Lara (Geordie) and Colin (Ingrid), sister Angela (Doug), four grandchildren, Tyrus, Kiana, Bennett and Tassanie, mother-in-law Grace, sister-in-law Arlene (Ken), and several nephews and nieces, including his favorite, Lisa. The Bremner family extends their thanks to the persons involved in John's care; staff at the Cancer Agency, especially the chemotherapy nurses; nursing staff on 8 South at the RJH Patient Care Centre; Drs. Kotb, Kolodziejczyk, and Fanat; Veterans Affairs; OT James; dressing nurses at the Royal Oak Health Unit. A memorial service will be held in early May, date TBA. Flowers are declined with gratitude. If so wished, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation at bccancerfoundation.com or the PPCLI Foundation at www.ppclifoundation.ca "> www.ppclifoundation.ca . Condolences can be sent to: www.carefuneral.com "> www.carefuneral.com .