23-Sep-1933 - 24-Feb-2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian William Veall (Sept. 23, 1933—Feb. 24,2025). Brian leaves behind Helga, his beloved spouse of 69 years, his loving sister, Janet Warburton (Mark), sons, Martin (Lisette) and Ian (Christine), grandchildren, Alexandra (Robert Logue), Simon (Sarah McLennan), Emily (Liam Hall) and family and friends, who will miss him dearly and remember him fondly.
Brian was born in Portsmouth, England, to Iris and William Veall, living in the idyllic seaside town of Lymington. He grew up in this loving home with his younger sister Janet. At age 7, Brian was uprooted from his home and evacuated to live with his grandparents in the Welsh border town of Ewyas Harold, during the London Blitz. He spent 9 months there, attending school, trainspotting, birding and exploring the surrounding countryside.
After returning to his parental home, he received a scholarship to attend the prestigious public school, Mill Hill, in northwest London, where he excelled in playing rugby and athletics, showed great aptitude for linguistics, and demonstrated a keen wit and a fine appreciation of the art of parody.
Upon finishing his secondary schooling, Brian joined the Officer Training Program of the British Army’s, Royal Signals Unit, for his 18-month National Service conscription. It was while stationed at the Catterick Camp in Yorkshire that he first met the love of his life Helga Sandt, a former “Au Pair” from Marburg, West Germany, who was attending the Darlington College of Education, studying in the teacher training program.
Upon finishing his National Service, Brian moved back to London. After a chance encounter with Helga in the London Underground, they reconnected and were married. He began working in the furniture department of Harrods, while also enrolled in the University of London’s, Modern Languages program, where he earned an honours degree.
Shortly after finishing university, Brian and Helga applied and were accepted to teach at a private school in Kenya and, in 1956, took a leap of faith and relocated to the Rift Valley town of Kaptagat, to start their new life in Africa. Brian and Helga undertook their teaching roles with unbridled passion, putting on plays at the school, teaching languages and physical education, being role models to their students and exploring East Africa, including safaris and a climb to the crater summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
As political tensions rose in Kenya, Brian and Helga relocated once again to Marburg, where Brian began his lifelong career with the Ernst Leitz optical company, makers of the world -famous Leica camera, in nearby Wetzlar, West Germany. His amazing command of the German language, sense of humour and engaging nature allowed him to excel with this company and to forge friendships that lasted a lifetime. He later left Wetzlar to move to England and then joined Ernst Leitz Canada, in Midland, in 1964. His career with this firm (Leitz, Wild, Hughes and Elcan) spanned over 40 years.
Over his years in Midland, Brian, continued his involvement in the community, as he had done also, wherever he and Helga called home. He became an executive member of the fledgling Midland Minor Lacrosse Association, was actively involved in the early years of the Midland Bulls RFC, had a positive and lasting effect on the lives of countless students at Huron Park Public School, helping to direct plays and musicals with Helga on a yearly basis. Brian was also a regular contributor to the Midland Free Press by creating satirical cartoons on a weekly basis, wrote numerous articles for the Elcan journal, was a past president of the Elcan Retirees Association and, along with Helga, was a long-time member of the Midland Y's Men's Music Festival organization committee, arranging adjudicators for this annual event.
After retirement, at age 67, he continued to work translating documents, utilizing his considerable abilities in German and French, while also working as a simultaneous translator at international conferences. He continued to write memoirs, stories, and numerous published letters to the editor of the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, until late in his life.
Brian left an indelible mark on everyone he met and, in every place, he lived. His warm, easy manner, wry sense of humour, love of the arts and athletics, numerous and varied talents, intellect, love of family and passionate approach to life, has left us all richer and fortunate for having spent time in his company.
We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to those who kindly cared for Brian: Dr.’s P. Cameron S. Karson, A. Gannon and S. Robinson, the staff at GBGH and the Villa Care Center, the staff of Ontario Health at Home and Liz Acs Home Care Services.
Donations would be appreciated to the Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Nicholls Funeral Home.
