In loving memory of
Dr. Brian Arthur Upper
February 16, 1943 – April 10, 2025
Celebration of Life with Live Stream
Odd Fellow Hall, 3005 Wood Avenue, Armstrong BC.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
1:00 PM PT / 2:00 PM MT / 3:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM ET
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Dr. Brian Arthur Upper Obituary
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Brian Arthur Upper on April 10th, 2025 at the age of 82 from a long battle with cancer. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Jane, and by his children Andrew (Lauren), Jennifer (Nico) and Peter (Sandy), stepchildren Alex and Jennifer (Sean), grandchildren Trenten, Kristian, Nicholas, Megan, Arran, Matthew, step-grandchildren Sophia and Ben, sister-in-law Sandra George, nephew Ben (Jessica) and niece Jessica. Brian was predeceased by his father Ivan, mother Doris and brother Gordon.
Brian was a long-time resident of Chilliwack, BC, a much-respected veterinarian, college professor, and an active leader of the Wayfarers outdoor group in the Anglican church. Born in St. Catherines Ontario, he assisted his grandmother “Gran” delivering flowers in the Thorold and St. Catherines area. After graduating from Grade 13 in Toronto, he attended the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, graduating with a D.V. M. Brian saw a posting for a partnership opportunity at Cheam View Veterinary Hospital and joined Dr. Morely Rendal and Dr. Hugh Phillip in 1967. He was a practicing veterinarian in Chilliwack from 1967 to 2003, when he semi-retired and relocated with Jane to realize their dream of living on a 10-acre paradise in Spallumcheen, BC.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Brian was instrumental in overseeing and chairing the Steele Springs Waterworks District between 2008 and 2024. During this time, he replaced all the deteriorating water pipes, completing the last 500 meters in November 2024. Brian drew on his scientific background, veterinary knowledge, advocacy skills and desire to protect others, when he and others successfully lobbied the government to find a new water supply after discovering the Hullcar aquifer was polluted with nitrates. The ‘Water Boys’, including Mike, Loyde, Murray, Darcy, and Brian, worked for years as a team of volunteers to supply over 200 residents with clean drinking water.
He was an avid outdoors man, hiking the mountains of the Chilliwack River area and canoeing the lakes and white waters of British Columbia with his children and dog companions Valentine and Sparky.
A love of international adventures saw him and Jane enjoying trips across Canada and other countries around the world. He was always fascinated by the natural world around him and enjoyed learning about and appreciating other cultures and art around the world.
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Brian was our veterinarian for herd health when I worked at the research station in Agassiz. As the only female permanent employee, I needed all the support I could get in trying to make positive changes for the health of the cows and calves. He was oh so supportive and wonderful to work with..
My sincere condolences to all in the family.
Susan Hainstock
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My dad constantly reminded the three of us kids, where our family, on his side, came from. The Uppers were a
United Empire Loyalist group who left the United States for the Thorold / Allanburg / St. Catharines area of Ontario, at around the time of the American Revolution; many of them fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. How timely! Here we are now in a similar position with the United States after all this time!
As my Grandfather Ivan once said, it is better to be two hours early than two minutes late! Protestant work ethics were not lost on dad, with the exception of being on time. He believed in hard work, putting in a full effort at everything possible, especially one’s occupation. My Uncle Gord was the same. This work ethic was not lost on us kids.
When dad came to BC in 1967, along with my mother, in their blue VW, he fell in love with bucolic Chilliwack and wanted to climb every mountain in the Chilliwack River Valley. He was a true outdoorsman who could literally not sit still, a trait he no doubt acquired from his mother Doris who was also drawn to the outdoors..
He lived life to the fullest, portions of which were like the chapters of a book. By the time I was born in 1968, he was on chapter 3 or 4. By the end of his life in April 2025, he had done more than most in his lifetime.
As I bid my dad farewell, I will look back fondly on all the hikes up Mt. Cheam, the Stein Valley, a trip to Jasper, Shuswap and Bowron Lakes canoe trips, the San Juan Island bike trip, a trip across Canada, and the many many times he would help me with my schoolwork when I was growing up.
Godspeed dad. I know you will be reunited with Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Gord. I will entrust all the wisdom and support I can offer to your grandchildren.
Love,
Andy
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I was a teacher friend of Jane ..she met Brian and I so remember her joy! After meeting Brian I could see why they connected . Rest in peace Brian.
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Brian insisted that I should play football during our second year. He was very insistent that I play and informed me of our impending games. He loved his sports and upon going to bc it was natural for him to go hiking and mountain climbing. I never hiked or climb with him. The time we met at Fred Clark’s we did some biking together which was a lot of fun and memorable.
Rest in peace Brian and condolences to Jane and family
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Brian will be truly missed by the Uppers here in Ontario. He was a great uncle and though we didn’t get a lot of time to see him throughout our lives, the time we did was always special.
When we visited the West Coast Uppers in the early 2000’s the three of us (Brian, Dad and I) hiked up a mountain. To this day I still think about the stunning vistas and great little adventure it was.
I always enjoyed talking with Brian and listening to him share the history of the Uppers, explaining how things were progressing with the water treatment project or how the family was doing out in BC. His passion and enthusiasm for these things was always unmatched and a delight to be apart of, even if only for a few minutes from a few thousand km’s away.
Though Brian will be missed by many it is nice to think that he has finally reunited with our Dad and his brother Gord.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Brian, until we meet again.
Capt. Benjamin Upper
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Brian was a larger than life member of our class of OVC 1967, and a gentleman and a true gentle man. Our condolences Jane and family. We share in your loss and will miss him so much. Melodie and Gary
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Life ends but good memories are forever. Thanks for those good memories
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Denise and I wish to offer our sincere condolescences to Jane and to all of Brian’s family on this remeberance day for a friend, a classmate at OVC and for a truly wonderfull person who just left us. We were fortunate to have met you Brian and Jane and we will remeber you as special people. Rest in peace Brian,
Gilles and Denise Gratton, Embrun (ON)
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We’re keeping you in our minds and hearts at this time of loss.
Aunt Kary and Uncle Harry
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To Jane’s and Brian’s families, and many friends, we send our sincere condolences. Neil and Susan. OVC 67
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Brian was one my first mentors in the field of veterinary medicine. I was just small child when he would come and treat the cows on our dairy farm. He was friendly and relaxed around the animals. I was intrigued, and of course, I ended up graduating as a veterinarian about 20 years after he did. When our practice bought his business, I had the privilege of working with him for several years. His patient, thorough approach was an inspiration. My sincere condolences to the family. Sorry that I could not be there in person. Prayers for comfort at this time.
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Sincere sympathy to Jane and family on the loss of Brian.. He will be deeply missed by his OVC ‘67 classmates. He was an inspiration, mentor, and true friend.. So glad that he could attend our reunion on PEI in 2023.
Dave Thomas
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Brian was our football wrestling mountain climbing coach to name a few. None better at inspiring the old 67 crew. Too soon to die for such a great individual. Our deepest sympathy to Jane and family.
Regards Bob and Heather McCrae