Obituary of Brian Pottle

In Loving Memory of Brian Pottle

May 7, 1962 – September 3, 2024

The shock remains with how suddenly Brian left us in our kitchen, the heart of our home, where he gifted us with meals made with love, canning the harvest from his garden, and gathering to visit family and friends.

Parents, Ray and Kathy Pottle, and brothers Larry and Glenn loved him first. His family lived in Endeavour, Prairie River (1963) then Lintlaw (1970). His parents instilled core values – strong work ethic, any job is worth doing well, speaking up for yourself, and taking time for fun. He loved and valued precious time hunting, fishing and camping with his family.

Growing up in Lintlaw, playing childhood games, and on teams - Lintlaw Royals fastball, Lintlaw Lazers hockey, various curling teams achieving success as the Boys’ High School Division Champions, his family’s team as Okla Spiel winners (1978). Family times at Grandma German’s and attending Pottle family reunions since the 1960’s as Brian loved his extended family. Many of his cousins respectfully called him “Uncle”.

Brian had a variety of jobs growing up: hand picking roots and stones (age 12), and working locally in Lintlaw. Following graduation, Brian moved to Kindersley to work at a glass shop. A friend asked him to join the Sask Wheat Pool Repair Division and then the Construction Division. These jobs involved a great deal of travel, living in camp on weekdays with co-workers who knew him as “Pumper”. They became lifelong friends. “What happens in camp, stays in camp”. Brian knew every town and could recite every highway number and he would point out every elevator he built or repaired. 

Brian married his high school sweetheart, Valerie Oryszczyn on June 28, 1986. As a young couple, Brian and Valerie were mentored by each other’s families and considered everyone as “our family”. Couple life in Saskatoon expanded Brian’s friend groups. Sports continued with the Krabos ball team, Friday night hockey (Vanscoy/Delisle), curling Sunday Night Sears Men’s League and league bowling.

Brian experienced the best loves in his life when he welcomed his children, Graham (1994) and Andrea (1997). He worked away during the week but made the most of family time on the weekends. Family vacations to many destinations and assisting on school projects were his priorities. Teaching his life lessons to his children who “held the flashlight”. He taught strength, knowledge and skills and as they grew, he “held the flashlight” for them. He instilled his passions into his children for hunting, camping, fishing and his favourite sports. 

Brian was a competitive athlete and hard worker but everything changed on Aug. 1, 2006. He was severely injured when he was dropped 40ft while working in a man basket suspended by a crane. Brian showed his determination to become independent again. He took on adjusting to being “gluten free” over the past 5 years. 

Honouring the message in Linda Ellis’ poem “The Dash”, reminds us of the significance of what our “Dash” represents that joins our birth and death date. We are sorrowful that Brian’s death date came so soon. We appreciate that Brian made the most of his “Dash” in how he lived and loved.

Brian loved the people in his life - immediate or extended family, co-workers, friends, or sports teammates. He had his soft spot for his little friends who he treated with a popsicle. He showed kindness to animals, treated neighbourhood dogs on their walks, set earthworms atop the soil he cultivated to feed his robins, and he respected large game animals he hunted or fished to feed his family and friends. Anytime Brian saw wildlife he had to stop, back up the vehicle, to honour seeing them. Everyone left his house with garden vegetables, a jar of his preserves, fish or a ring of moose sausage.

Brian showed his love for his family by performing everyday acts of kindness to support us in every way. He was quick to share his talents, skills and sage wisdom to help others. His teasing, genuine care of others and unconditional love will be missed . Those who will miss him most from their daily lives are his wife Valerie, his protégé son Graham (Maia Regnier), Daddy’s Girl, Andrea (James Ranby), his parents Ray and Kathy, brothers Larry (Heather), Glenn (Debbie) and their families, mother-in-law, Alvena Oryszczyn, sister-in-law, Lori (Patrick) Bartko and their family, Godparents Jerry and Betty German. Brian will be missed by countless aunts, uncles and cousins from his Pottle, German, Oryszczyn, Wyborn families. Brian was predeceased by his grandparents, Steve & Victoria Pottle, Joe & Annie German, father-in-law, Bill Oryszczyn and many extended family members.

“In the end, what really matters and is a good measure of a past life is who you loved and who loved you. The circle of love is everything.”

Our tribute to Brian will be held on Saturday, Sept 14, 2024 in the Lintlaw Community Hall, Lintlaw, SK at 2:00pm. A live stream link can be found on https://narfasons.com/. 

In Loving Memory of Brian Pottle

Visitation

7:00 p.m.

Friday, September 13, 2024

Chapel of Narfason’s

Narfason’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium

Wadena, SK

Below is the link to view the live stream.

You have to register before gaining access to the waiting room.

Registering can be done at any time but we recommend doing it in advance in case of any problems.

If you do not have an email or mobile phone number when registering you will need to call 1-877-895-2739.

The support staff at Forget Me Not Ceremonies will provide you with a code to gain access to it.

Funeral Service Livestream for Brian Pottle (CLICK HERE)

If their is insufficient service at the funeral service, the livestream video will be uploaded at a later time once we gain sufficient service.

It can be viewed clicking on the link above and registering. 

Funeral Service

2:00 P.M.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Lintlaw Community Hall

Lintlaw, SK

Donations in memory of

Brian may be made to

Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab

RUH Foundation

103 Hospital Drive

Saskatoon, SK S7N  0W8

OR

Lintlaw Timberline Wildlife Federation

P.O. Box 10

Lintlaw, SK S0A 2H0

Those wishing to send cards

of caring & sympathy may send them to

The Family of Brian Pottle

P.O.  Box 65

Lintlaw, SK S0A 2H0