Brian Mattingly

Brian Mattingly, 82, of Kingston, Ontario passed away on January 18th, 2023, while in the care of the kind staff of Providence Manor.

Brian was predeceased by his sisters Irene, Rose, Ivy, Joan, Vera, and their partners. He is survived by his patient and forbearing wife of 60 years, Doris (née Laker), his much-loved children Glen and Debra, and his treasured grandchildren, Teah and Rhiannon.

Born in Tottenham, Middlesex, England in 1940, Brian spent most of his youth zipping around London on his Lambretta scooter, generating bedlam, and entertaining family and friends with his dreadful practical jokes. As a young man, he apprenticed as a Draughtsman and discovered his enthusiasm for designing and repairing complex structures; he also discovered his enthusiasm for his beloved Doris at around the same time. No sooner did Brian and Doris find themselves married in 1962, did they find themselves on their honeymoon in Canada, with Brian gaining employment at Morrison Hershfield, a prestigious Consulting Engineering firm in Toronto. Brian would spend his entire career with MH, participating in various projects around his adopted country- everything from the Theakston Wind/Snow project, the Health Sciences Center in St. John’s, and the Hibernia Gravity Base Structure, to the rehabilitation of the Supreme Court Building in Ottawa and so much more. Two of Brian’s most visible projects were the ‘Beehive’ storage buildings used by municipalities all over Ontario to store vital supplies and the Second Digital Route West for Bell Canada- the tower in Dorset, Ontario stands as testament to his abilities.

Around the house, Brian was usually busy playing tennis, building, renovating, or tinkering at something. His garden was always a source of delight and he spent many hours enjoying his labours with a home-brewed beer and a book for company. Brian was a great supporter of local artisans and musicians, and very much enjoyed being an active member of the community. Brian was a wonderful husband, father, grandad, and friend; he usually had great advice, interesting ideas, and terrible jokes at the ready. He was always up for an adventure, especially if it involved his beloved grand-daughters Teah and Rhiannon. Brian could often be found feeding the ducks, sneaking into pubs, being a very small giant, or hanging around the pool hall with his girls, much to the delight of his grand-daughters and the chagrin of Doris.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that Brian be remembered with the raising of a glass of beer, and a toast to his departure on his last big adventure.

“There are fairies at the bottom of our garden!

They often have a dance on summer nights;

The butterflies and bees make a lovely little breeze,

And the rabbits stand about and hold the lights.

There's a little wood, with moss in it and beetles,

And a little stream that quietly runs through;

You wouldn't think they'd dare to come merrymaking there-

Well, they do.”