Brian B. Magner

1954 - 2022

Brian Boru Magner was taken from this world unexpectedly early Sunday morning, January 9, after a brief illness. His loss is profound, but through his life, love, and vibrant character, he left the world around him with many precious, loving, and lasting memories.

Brian was born in Newport Beach, CA, the fifth child to John and Velma Magner. In 1956, the family moved to the suburbs of Sacramento where Brian spent the early years of his life in the neighborhoods of Carmichael and Fair Oaks, California. Here at a young age, he developed an interest in anything mechanical. While most boys his age were immersed in sports, Brian was up to his elbows in grease, with his hands full of motor parts which he would sometimes successfully reassemble. In 1968 Brian's parents moved their whole family of nine children north to the small town of Sequim on Washington's Olympic Peninsula where Brain attended high school, graduating from Sequim High in 1972. His first real job was as a grave digger and groundskeeper at Mt. Angeles Memorial Park when he was 15 years old. He was employed during the summers of his high school years digging graves at Sequim and Dungeness Cemeteries. After Brian graduated in 1972, he landed a job with Valley Asphalting. With Valley, he was given the opportunity to hone his skills as a grader operator. And that was the beginning of over 45 years on a grader as a blade man for more than 17 companies throughout western Washington and Alaska. From 1988 until 2006 he ran his own paving company, Maristar Asphalt Paving. Brian's blading skills were in high demand, making it difficult for him to really "retire."

In 1981 Brian married Mary Lapier. Together they had one child in 1983, Hannah Shaw, who now lives in Illinois. That marriage dissolved in 1985. In 1991 Brian met Diane Priest, and on May 30, 1992, Brian married the love of his life and became the stepfather to her children, Jessica and Bryce Gange. Together they were blessed with three more children, John, Grace, and Audrey. With his family, he opened Gabby's Java and Gourmet Grub in Carlsborg in 2003. In 2015, they expanded the food takeout to include a smoker and BBQ. Brian continued to do blade work on the side when requested, but his new passion was running the BBQ and baking for the restaurant. However, his favorite part of the job was the opportunity to interact with all of the customers who frequented Gabby's. Forever the performer, Brian was always in one of his many alter egos acting out spontaneous episodes for his friends and guests. People often wondered where he got the energy. You never knew what you were going to get, but it was always entertaining. One day he might be channeling Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cockburn or resurrecting one of Walter Mathau's many embodiments. His many portrayals might include an old Irish bartender, a Russian mob boss, an old Swiss farmer, an Italian mafia don, a Jewish psychiatrist, a bragging Texas oil tycoon, a southern Baptist preacher, a street pimp, a slick politician, and the list goes on.

Gregarious in his nature, Brian was genuinely interested in other people's lives. He loved his family dearly, but he also loved other people and was bold enough to tell them so. He was dedicated to his family, his friends, and his God. Brian was preceded in death by both parents, John and Velma Magner, and two of his older sisters, Shannon Rose and Mary Theresa. He is survived by his wife, Diane, six children; Hannah (Jason), Jessica (Seth), Bryce (Angela), John (Kyla), Grace (Ray), Audrey (Blayze); eight grandchildren (with four more on the way); his brother, Kevin; five sisters, Erin, Deidre, Rita, Johanna, and Clare, and many nieces and nephews. One can only imagine what is happening in glory right now with Brian entertaining an audience of angels.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for May 7, 2022, 11 AM at Kingsway Foursquare Church at 1023 Kitchen-Dick Rd., Sequim. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in memory of Brian Magner may be directed to World Vision, P.O. Box 70399, Tacoma, WA 98481-0399. (www.worldvision.org/donate)