Obituary of Bryan Johnstone Walker

Bryan Johnstone Walker passed peacefully the morning of February 5, 2025, at his home in Fredericton, exactly one month after celebrating his 90th birthday. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 22 years Patricia Sinstadt; his daughters Genevieve (Adel) and Kathrine (Andrew); his step daughters Erin (Ryan) and Alison; his grandchildren Maria (Ryan), Andrea (Erik), Sam (Rebecca), Koan (Gabrielle), Maya, Noah, and Justin; and his great grandchildren Isaac and Rhiannon. Bryan was predeceased by his parents Margot and Headworth, as well as his first wife Thérèse Walker.

Bryan embraced life, and was best described as a man of sharp intellect, many interests, passions, hobbies and life-long friendships. He was born in Vancouver, BC and moved from western Canada to Montreal in 1941. He grew up in the NDG neighbourhood, attended Iona Elementary School and then graduated from Lower Canada College in 1952. He then attended McGill University in Engineering until he decided to follow his true interests of Economics and History at Bishops University, where he graduated with both a BA and a Masters degree in Commerce.

During his early life he was influenced by his father’s curiosity and interest in all things mechanical, which lead to his hobbies of building model trains, planes and tinkering with older cars. In his early twenties Bryan bought his first car, a 1948 MGTC, which he kept his whole life. He delighted working on and adventuring the country side of Quebec and the White Mountains in “caravans” of like-minded friends with MG’s. He also had a great love for reading history, literature, art and music - Big band, jazz, classical and opera were often heard in the background of his home.

He started his work career with Shell Petroleum in Montreal in 1957. Initially he would have meetings with service station providers across the province of Quebec until he moved into managerial positions, which took him to head office in Montreal and then later to Toronto. In the late 60s Bryan decided to leave the petroleum industry and take a job with the New Brunswick (NB) government under Premier Louis J. Robichaud, in the Department of Economic Growth as a Development Coordinator. It was an exciting time in policy development in the province, with all kinds of new initiatives and programs being implemented that ultimately helped shape the way forward for NB industry. Bryan was also especially happy to move to Fredericton in what he would often describe as the “perfect place to live and bring up a family”.

In his provincial government career he held a number of positions: Assistant Deputy Minister of Economic Growth 1975, President and General Manager of the Forest Authority 1976-1980, Chairman of the Occupational Health and Safety Commission, including the federal -provincial tri partied authority 1980-85 and Deputy Minister of Natural Resources (NR) 1985-91. His work with the initiation of Occupational Health and Safety in NB was very close to his heart because Bryan believed that these policies assured (for the first time in Canada) that workers would have protections to refuse unsafe work, the right to information concerning work hazards and the right to participate in joint safety committees. At work with the Forest Authority and Department of NR, Bryan was known to have good success with finding solutions to problems, while negotiating agreements that benefited workers, industry interests and government alike.

Following his retirement, Bryan began his artistic pursuits and signed up for the metal smithing program at the NB Craft College. He enjoyed showing his family the different metal vessels, jewelry and designs he would make. Bryan always had a book, a paper and a magazine on the go, if he was sitting he had a cat on his lap, a new recipe to try that week, and several hobbies such as his model trains and his two MGTCs that needed constant “tinkering”. He loved to talk about politics, history, baseball  and basketball. He also enjoyed his many years and fellowship with the Fredericton Rotary Club, the Golden Club and the Coffee Klatch (started at Mazzuca’s).

An Anglican grave side service will be held at a later date in the Spring at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the Fredericton Soup Kitchen or Food Bank.