Brian Laishes

[Rick MacMillan]

I found out through Barry that Brian's sister Jane indicated Brian had passed earlier this year.

( bo...@tds.net). He was born on April 18, 1947.

Brian was living in Madison, Wisconsin where he had moved to continue his postdoctoral work as assistant professor with the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research - Part of the University of Wisconsin.

The years of academia, struggling for funding, and the need to publish pushed Brian into an alternate career in finance. In typical style, he fully applied himself and built a fine business with a notable client base.

Brian had two daughters with his Ottawa born wife Pat, and two sons to a second wife in Wisconsin.

Determined not to meet the fate of his uncle who had died at an early age due to a stroke, Brian worked out daily on his rowing machine, and was a marathon runner in many Madison events. He also maintained his pilot's license, earned during our early days at the Rockcliffe Flying Club. And not content to merely pass through the atmosphere in an enclosed vehicle, he enlisted me to join him in parachuting, and to later start the Carleton University Parachute Club.

And possibly along those same longevity wishes, it seems Brian fathered a number of children in Nairobi, Kenya, after his third wife had abducted their son back to her native land.

Although not actively involved in music at the time, Brian continued to play a diversified number of instruments (including the 5-string banjo!). During our early days at Tech, I had the opportunity to hear Brian play a very challenging piece on his Titano accordion. And I recall going backstage with him during the band's trip to meet Archie Camden, one of the performers at the Royal Festival Hall concert we attended in London. Archie had been the teacher of Brian's neighbour, who had been instrumental in his interest in the bassoon.

Brian had a great number of achievements during his lifetime, and I know he particularly cherished his time at Tech and the experiences shared with his fellow band members. He was a great friend and will be missed.

[John Stanley]

Thanks for sharing Rick. Sorry to hear about Brian. Seems like he had a pretty full life. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 16, 2022, at 2:09 PM, Rick MacMillan <rick...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Steve Fahie]

I'm saddened to learn of Brian's passing, and at the same time gladdened to learn just a little more about his life, since I knew only a bit of what he went on to do.  Obviously Brian was a very talented and resourceful person, and learned to change course in life when circumstances changed.  He switched to bassoon at Tech, I guess about a year after I agreed to give it a try, and did very well at it. He was one year behind me, so he was the new guy!  Hahaha.  I often wondered how his life proceeded after I sort of lost touch with what he was doing.  I knew a little bit about his cancer research work, but not much after that.  Rest in peace Brain.

Steve

[SIDNEY GOLDSTEIN]

This is particularly sad news for me.

Brian was a great friend.

In addition to the 5 years we shared in the band, I cherish the motivation he gave me as we competed (and helped each other) for those five years for academic excellence.

May his memory be a blessing.