Obituary of Brian John Arsenault

It is with saddened hearts that the family of Brian John Arsenault, 66, of Avonport Beach, announce his death at Valley Regional Hospital on November 17, 2016. Brian was a big, gentle man with a kind soul and wore his heart on his sleeve. He was born in Quebec City on July 8, 1950. As the child of a military family, Brian lived in many places in Eastern Canada and Europe. He served two tours of duty in the Canadian Army and was stationed for several months in Cyprus as part of the NATO peacekeeping mission. After leaving the military, he continued his wanderlust working on gypsum boats travelling up and down the Atlantic coast of North America and the Caribbean, and worked with the Canadian National Railroad. Finally, Brian settled in the Annapolis Valley near his family, where he operated the Kentville train depot until it was closed. Subsequently, he started a cartage business, which he ran successfully until he retired. The big happy face painted on the box of Brian's truck brightened many peoples' day as they traveled the roads between Kentville and Wolfville. Brian loved his home and neighborhood, where he could mingle with friends and fish for striped bass just outside of his back door. Besides being an avid fisherman, Brian was a formidable card player, problem solver and generous friend and neighbor, and enjoyed nothing more than the great outdoors. He loved sunrises, sunsets and living by the sea. Brian's warm smile and big heart brought him a close circle of friends who remained by his side and shared his faith. Brian will be deeply missed. He was predeceased by his father Joseph Lloyd and mother Margie Carline (Woodworth), and is survived by brother Jeff (Evelyn Waters) Toronto, sister Cathy (Rick McMahon) Victoria Harbour, and nieces Amelia McMahon (Scott Kingsley) Montreal, Renée (D'Arcy McDonell) Ottawa and Jennifer (Kristan Erner, Emily, Lily and Wynn) Toronto, ….and dear cat Marmalade. Brian's family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Merryweather and the kind and caring staff of Valley Regional Hospital. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home & Chapels, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr (902-679-2822). There will be a celebration of Brian's life at the Greenwich Community Centre from 2:00 – 4:00 on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 23, 2016. Memorial donations may be made to the Valley Hospice Foundation.