Obituary of Brian Vincent Chenier

After a courageous battle in a challenging journey with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease,

Brian passed away peacefully with his wife Linda and family by his side at Fairfield Park, Wallaceburg.

Brian was a loving husband and soulmate of 22 years to Linda J. Chenier (nee Mueller),

a dear father to Rick (Lisa) and Nick (Brittany) and dear stepfather to Tina and Chris (Crystal) Labbate.

He was a loving “Papa” and Grandpa to Brandon, Zachery (Shaun), Katelyn, David, Arianna, Aiden,

Nathan (Noah) and Logan.

Born in London, Ontario, he was the middle child of Elizabeth Butler (the late Terence Butler) and

the late Leo Chenier. Brian was a dear brother to the late Bruce (Gayle) Chenier and Linda (Kelly) Hewey. Dear brother-in-law to Eric Mueller. Dear son-in-law of the late Theresia and Philip Mueller.

Brian will be greatly missed by his beloved “fur baby” Chloe who would lick his face for many hours on end whenever he returned home.

He will also be missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Brian worked for CN Rail for 38 years, retiring as an engineer in 2008. Brian established many long lasting friendships with his co-workers. While at work, he dedicated many years to CN’s EFAP Peer and Operation Lifesaver programs. Brian was an avid volunteer in his community. He dedicated many years to the Southwest Optimist Indoor Soccer League as one of the founding members, coach, sponsor and registrar. Brian passed this love of soccer to his children and grandchildren.

In London, Brian also volunteered many hours to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Parkwood Institute. He took on the role of a mime at Victoria Park Children’s Festival. Brian was a wonderful support to Linda and his mother-in-law, by volunteering for training to be her back up when she had to go on peritoneal dialysis.

Moving to Dresden in 2010 after retirement, Brian had a hard time sitting still, so he and Linda decided to help out on a mail delivery route with Canada Post. Being a people person, this gave Brian a great way to meet the local residents and farmers. He took immense pleasure in this.

Brian’s interests included music, writing, nature, fishing and adventure. Brian enjoyed attending music concerts of varying genres especially Blues. He wrote poetry and in 2013, his love of gnomes inspired him to write and have published a book for his grandsons at the time, called “The Gnomes of Westminster”. Brian enjoyed the great outdoors, gardening, hiking in the woods, his cottage on the Manitoulin Island, and fishing with friends and family. Brian’s love of gardening was cultivated by his mother Elizabeth, a member of the horticultural society. Together they shared ideas and plants creating beautiful yards.

Brian’s heart was in giving and bringing joy to others. Brian had a great sense of humour which sustained him right to the end. He would entertain with jokes, story-telling, or minor pranks whatever it took to bring laughter to those in his presence. He will be greatly missed and his memory well treasured by his beloved “Lynnie”, family, co-workers and friends.

A special thank you to all those who accompanied Brian and Linda on this journey with love, care, compassion and dedication, namely, the caring staff at Fairfield Park, Dr. Perkin and Dr. Elizabeth Finger of Parkwood Institute, Dr. Breana Yee-Providence and Dr. Glen Providence, the staff and respite workers who made Brian’s stay at home as long as possible, the staff at the Alzheimer and Day Program in Wallaceburg, our dearest friends Rudy and Marianne Dyck, Brenda and Al Mifflin, Ernie Beal and Lydia Bierer.

Visitation at Badder Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 679 North Street, in Dresden from 1-3pm on Sunday, February 27, 2022.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, those hoping to attend the visitation must schedule a time online at https://signup.com/go/bZbFDBg. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario has mandated that everyone attending must wear a mask. 

There will be a Celebration of Life at The Old Czech Hall, Dresden on May 29, 2022 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society Chatham-Kent 36 Memory Lane, Chatham ON N7L 5M8 or Parkwood Institute P0 Box 5777, Stn B London, ON N6A 4V2 would be appreciated by the family.