It is with profound sadness that the family of Bryn David Paterson announce his sudden passing on August 7th, 2023 at the age of 39 years, never having realized his life’s dreams of going a year without an administrator correcting his name to something more common, meeting another man named ‘Bryn’, or finding his name on a novelty keychain. He also would have really liked to have been a rockstar.

Beloved father, Brian is survived by his 3 children, Liam (18), Elliotte (11), Winifred (8),and their mother, Renée, partner of 19 years; his parents Dave and Holly, brother Evan (Melissa), sister Lori (Dan), and nieces Olive(5) and Fiona(2). He will also be dearly missed by all his friends and extended family in Alberta, Ontario, and the East Coast.

Family and friends who knew Bort growing up would describe him as musical (drums and guitar), active (swimming), adventurous (avid Scouter), and funny (Master Sarcastic). As a child, he spent his time perfecting his role as Big Brother Evan’s shadow and could be found watching Star Trek with Little Sister Lori, while casually sporting the Enterprise Crew costume his beloved mother painstakingly made for him that one time at Halloween.

While he did not live long, he did prosper in his deep love and commitment to his children and the many friendships he made along the way. Lover of “the bit”, Brent kept many individual inside jokes with the people in his life, going as far as to recruit a Mall Santa in his annual tradition of sneaking an “ok” hand signal into the Christmas Photos he took his children to do every year; part of the decades long Circle Game he forced loved ones to play. He kept a reverse Uno card in his wallet just in case he needed the perfect comeback. He would casually pull pranks and wait with delight until someone noticed. He thrived bringing joy and laughter to the lives of those around him.

Referred to by his mother as her “Noticer”, Brett noticed the little things, the things that mattered to others, and would often surprise his loved ones with gifts of items they had mentioned in passing one time forever ago. He noticed people’s moods and would jump at the opportunity to help people navigate why they were feeling the way they were and how they could overcome it. His ability to ‘notice’ made him a hit with his children and nieces. Never dismissive, he would play and talk with them, reminding them that they mattered and were important to him.

Bryce is remembered for his love of music. From playing along to grunge favourites Alice in Chains and Nirvana so loudly in his room that it shook his familial home to its foundation, to holding his newborns close and singing Bohemian Rhapsody to them in welcome, he went on to create a podcast about music with old friends he refused to lose touch with. Music was as much a part of him as breathing, and he shared his love and enthusiasm with everyone. Whether they enjoyed what he was listening to or not, his enthusiasm for everything from The Beatles to Pantera was infectious.

Bryn’s sudden and tragic death has left a gaping hole in the lives of many, and we ask that you be gentle with yourself and lean on those who love you and those who knew him as your hearts adjust to accommodate the grief his loss has left in his wake.

Death is that state in which one only exists in the memory of others; which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes, just good memories.

~ Tasha Yar, Star Trek TNG.

Written by Renée Cabana-Marshall

Drop-in Celebration of Life events will be held in Stittsville on August 28th, 2023 at Brew Revolution (6081 Hazeldean Rd) from 6:00pm-9:00pm and in Edmonton on September 16th, 2023, at 8027-135a Ave from 2:00pm-5:00pm.

Edmonton memorial organizers ask that if you have photos of Bryn you would like to share with his family and friends, to forward them to brynmemorial@gmail.com

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family at the link below