LAHAIE, Brian Daniel Lahaie - It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Brian Daniel Lahaie.
Bri was born on August 25, 1977 and passed on peacefully in the wee hours of March 26, 2019, his partner Mira by his side and his favourite tunes playing on the stereo.
Brian’s family will miss him tremendously – his life partner and soul mate Mira Etlin-Stein and their daughter Davida, his mother Tuula Lahaie (Makela), brother Trevor Lahaie, in-laws Shari Stein and David Etlin, sister-in-law Hannah Etlin-Stein, brother-in-law Luke Denison, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends, and countless members of the Toronto music community.
Brian was predeceased by his loving father Roger Lahaie, who he looked up to as a mentor and a role model.
Brian was born in North Bay and grew up in Lively Ontario – a sweet and smiling child who woke up singing every morning, just as Davida does now. Brian started playing music in and around Sudbury as a teenager. He became a busy and much sought after musician in Toronto after moving to the city to attend the Universityof Toronto.
For the past two decades as a drummer and a producer, Brian worked with countless artists in Toronto and across Canada, touring around Europe, and bringing joy, laughter, and lightness wherever he landed. Brian’s face lit up anytime he spoke about his beloved Cabbagetown studio, where many musicians were lucky enough to work with him.
Seven years ago, Brian and Mira locked eyes across a busy dance floor. As he always said, with a twinkle in his eye, “it was love at first sight”. Brian brought an open, deep love into Mira’s universe, filling her life with a newfound appreciation for the simple things, which Brian made magical. Brian and Mira’s love was deep and pure, and they complimented each other perfectly as a couple, filling in each other’s gaps, one moving forward where the other faltered.
When Davida was born, their sacred triad was completed. Brian loved being a father and little D was his greatest joy. He was a natural dad from the very first moment and Davida adored him.
Bri loved simplicity, slowness, taking in each moment, good conversations, healthy debate, strong coffee and health food, and was always eager to learn and grow, to become a better person. Bri loved nature and was his freest self when running wildly through the bush, breathing in fresh air, or dancing in the sauna. He was building a log cabin, deep in the woods – using only hand tools because he understood the wisdom in the process as opposed to just the product.
Brian lived his life authentically, connecting easily with strangers and leaving a strong impression on everyone he met. We will miss his sweet smile and his gentle laugh. We have lost a truly special soul.
Please join us in honouring Brian on Monday April 1, 2019 at 11:00 AM. Ceremony to be held in the Bloor Street United Church/ City Shul, 300 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario. Simple luncheon to follow. In honour of Bri, please come as your authentic self and wear whatever you would be most comfortable in. If you would like, please bring a letter, message, photo, or something special to add to a memorial book for Davida.
Brian’s loving friends and colleagues have launched a campaign to help support Mira and Davida, as well as towards Davida’s future care and education.
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