Craig Brown

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of John “Craig” Brown on November 14, 2016 at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current, at 66 years of age. Craig was born December 27, 1949 in Vancouver B.C and was adopted by Gordon & Iris Brown of Calgary, AB. The family lived there until he was nine years old — his father was a tax accountant, and the family moved to Vulcan, AB where they started up their own business. From what is known of Craig’s childhood, he was a very active child who played hockey, loved fishing, camping in the mountains, and learned how to golf and ski at an early age. After graduating from high school, Craig jumped on a freight liner and headed for Australia — stopping off in The Tonga Islands along the way. When he arrived in Australia, he got a job with a drilling company in the Outback. Craig returned to Calgary after a few years when his father passed away, then began working in the oil industry which took him on various adventures, including the Arctic. Craig was an avid fly fisherman, accomplished golfer, skier and hiker. He moved to Canmore, AB and worked in construction, operating his own trucking business. Craig met the love of his life, Sheila (Richardson), on a blind date set up by a mutual friend on October 3, 1999. They met at the “Texas Gate” — a honky-tonk bar in Cochrane AB — and immediately had a connection. Sheila lived and worked in Calgary, and as Craig worked in Canmore, they decided to buy a home in between the two places in Cochrane. In 2001, Craig & Sheila got married at a friend’s beautiful home situated on the Riverside Golf Course in Fairmont B.C. It was a beautiful garden wedding attended by close friends from far and wide. Craig & Sheila had many happy adventures camping, fishing, and ice fishing. Craig knew of camping spots and fishing holes in B.C which were unknown to many. In 2007, getting tired of the fast-paced Alberta, they decided that Swift Current, SK might not be a bad place to slow down and enjoy life. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. In 2008, Craig began to suffer with health issues. It was a long six years of suffering, ending up with end-stage renal failure. Craig was a stubborn man and a fighter, he was going to get through this no matter what. Sadly, he could not fight anymore and is now at peace. Craig is survived by his loving wife, Sheila Richardson; his furry four legged pups, Barney and Katie; his niece, Karen Kelly; and by his nephews, Jim Jr. and Bradley Finney. He was predeceased by his parents, Gordon & Iris Brown; and by his sister, Heather Finney, who sadly passed away on September 11, 2016. Special thanks to the wonderful nurses at the Renal Unit in Swift Current — they are all going to miss Craig’s jokes and wonderful sense of humour — the nurses on Unit 4 who took care of Craig during his recent stay, Dr. “Sam” and Dr. DeKlerk. Respecting Craig’s wishes, there will be no Funeral Service.

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