Brian Stuart RIETKERK

1959 - 2022

It is with great sadness that our family shares with you the passing of our loved one, Brian Stuart Rietkerk. Quietly, at his home, Brian passed away on March 26, 2022 of pancreatic cancer. Brian was born on November 1, 1959, in Kitchener and spent his childhood years growing up on Avondale Ave., in Waterloo ON. He is survived by his mother Alie Rietkerk-Lee and his stepfather Garfield Lee, of Gabriola Island B.C. He is greatly missed by his brother Bruce and wife Pamela (née Good) and their children Amanda, Christopher, Joshua and wife Kelly (née Himsl) and his great-niece Rylan, all of Kitchener ON. Also missed by his brother Robert of Clinton ON. Fondly remembered by his sister Donna and her husband Derek Douglas of Clinton ON, and their children Cassandra Douglas and partner Oscar Giron of London ON, and Benjamin Douglas and partner Kelsey Liles and great-nephew Declan Coburn of London ON. Always missed and remembered by his brother Jeffrey and wife Sonja Zupanec of Gabriola Island and their children Skye, Abbie and Hunter of Gabriola Island B.C. Also mourning his loss are Garfield's children Sherri-Lynn and Kerry Dewling, as well as Rick and Joan Lee and their families. Brian was predeceased by his father Case Rietkerk, who died on the same date in 1995 and his nephew Luke Douglas in 2009. Brian joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 18 and served for five years. In 1992, Brian decided to travel to the West Coast on his BMW motorcycle, where he fell in love with the climate, ocean and mountains, so he settled there for the remainder of his life. Brian was a lifelong learner who explored many careers and skills in his lifetime, but for the most part, he made his living as a machinist. A Celebration of Life was held for Brian on June 18, 2022 by his immediate family via Zoom.