A little of his life

Brian was born on 8th April 1943 in Great Bridge; the 3rd child of 8. Older brother Dennis remembers pushing him in his pram during an air raid.
He started school at Fisher Street but when the family moved to the new council estate at Harvilles Hawthorne he began attending Harvilles Hawthorne Primary School. Later he went to Hill Top Secondary Modern School.
After leaving school, Brian became an apprentice tool setter at Wellington Tube but soon moved to Barrett’s and Baird’s as a butcher where he had friends earning a better wage.
At 19 years old Brian used to walk passed 170 Bagnall Street where he finally spotted and asked out the beautiful 16-year-old Pauline Ceney.

Although he quickly won her heart, unfortunately, his teddy-boy look and tattoos didn’t win the approval of her parents. It was a year before more laid back Nanny Beesley helped to get him allowed across the doorstep. Who knows what they got up to outside the sight of the disapproving in-laws-to-be; apparently, going for walks and visiting relatives.
After about 4 years he made an honest woman of Pauline and they married on the 4th June 1966. They made a home in Coles Lane, Hill Top and during 42 years of marriage Brian and Pauline stayed together and raised 3 sons, Conrad, Jason and Paul. Recently they became grandparents of Emily.

To Dad, nothing was more important than his family. He wanted nothing for himself but only to provide for us and make us feel safe, secure and confident by convincing us that he was invincible and always there for us. Without pushing us, he supported us in everything we did and made us feel that we could achieve whatever we set our minds to.
Dad never read us bedtime stories. Much better than this, he would make up new ones every night. He would then sing us songs accompanied by his guitar that always sounded great even though he never learnt the chords.
At Barrett’s and Baird’s it was hard work but in the by-products department he moved up to Foreman and finally Deputy Manager, serving there for 30 years and making many friends. He always worked hard and always got on with people, having a way of connecting, listening and advising and knowing how to make them laugh.
Taking up karate in the 70s, he persevered to get black belt along with his brother Jeff and also helped to run a club.
The 80s saw Brian move to marathon running. Beginning with the Sandwell marathon, his best time was 3 hrs 15 minutes in the Wolverhampton marathon. At one point he lied about his age so that he would not be classed as a veteran when he ran at 40 years old. A memorable Birmingham half marathon saw him dressed as a city gent complete with bowler hat and umbrella.
In the 90s he slowed down to rambling but liking long and hilly walks. He made many friends there. 35 of them went out on a rainy Sunday the day after he died to remember him. In one picture taken a couple of years ago next to a rock, Brian had to be the one that climbed on top instead. He was renowned as a rescuer of damsels in distress and even lambs. Always one of the first on the scene when help was needed.

Although he was not a regular churchgoer in earlier days, this changed and Brian became an active member of St. Paul’s Church at which Pauline had been a worshipper since childhood. He became the church verger and enjoyed this because, as always, he liked to help people.

Many in and around Coles Lane remember Dad working on the front garden. It's a wonder he got any gardening done as it seemed he chatted to almost anyone who passed.

The reaction of people in the days after he was tragically taken from us has shown how highly regarded and loved he was. He will be sorely missed.

Some messages from the Express and star website:

And some emails I received: