WILSON, Brian Joseph - (March 18, 1953 – September 28, 2019) - After a long battle our dear Brian is now at peace.
Brian leaves behind his beloved wife of forty years, Doretta; his children Brendan (Elizabeth Lofranco), Natalie, and Mark; his adored grandchildren, Noah, Elias, and Clara; his mother Patricia Wilson; and in-laws Tony and Anita Sabucco.
He will be missed by his sisters and brothers: Sheila (George Hoo), Barbara Poggi, Patricia (Michael Lang), Margaret (Steve Gregg), Mary Lou (Bill Hurley), John (Maureen Vella), David (Nancy Hurley), Gregory (Shelagh McKee), and sister-in-law Janine (Stan Buday). Brian was predeceased by his father Dr. John K. Wilson and infant sister Mary Catherine. He leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews.
Brian was educated at St. Michael’s College School and Senator O’Connor HS in Toronto. After graduation from the University of Western Ontario in 1976, Brian worked briefly in the finance world before a chance meeting led to a career in the investment real estate business.
Brian commenced his commercial real estate career in 1978 in Alberta as assistant to the manager of the Edmonton Knowlton Realty office, where he learned the ropes and became one of the “Knowlton Boys”.
He returned with his young family to Toronto in 1983 and became one of the first salespersons hired by Coldwell Banker Commercial, later CBRE, and became one of their top producers. In 2000, Brian joined Avison Young where he continued his success and his love of mentoring. He prided himself on his professional ethos, in an often difficult business, truly caring about his clients’ needs. Many of his associates and clients became life-long friends.
He served on the Alumni of St. Michael’s College School and as chair of the Order of St. Michael.
Brian was a talented athlete who loved the outdoors and kept active in many sports. He was a long-time member of Weston Golf & CC, where he was a champion curler. He was an active member of the St. Mike’s Oldtimers’ Hockey Team and made sure that they were amply supplied with Doretta’s butter tarts! Golf was his favourite pastime and he enjoyed many rounds and trips with his golf buddies, especially his “Fearsome Foursome”.
The family especially would like to thank the caregivers and staff of the Dorothy Ley Hospice.
Visitation to take place at Ward Funeral Home, Weston Chapel, 2035 Weston Road, Toronto Wednesday, October 2nd , 5-9 p.m. and Thursday, October 3rd 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass Friday, October 4th at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3055 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Prostate Cancer Canada (prostatecancer.ca), The Dorothy Ley Hospice (dlhospice.org), ShareLife (sharelife.org), or a charity of your choice.
“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends”
“To Brian, the richest man in town”
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