Brian Illingworth

Born in Glasgow, Scotland on January 19, 1949, to James and Helen Illingworth, Brian immigrated to Canada in 1957, settling in Shilo, Manitoba. He served in the Canadian Army in 1969 before relocating to Lethbridge in 1973, where he dedicated many years of service to the City of Lethbridge until his retirement in 2014.

Brian was married to Marie from 1973 to 1994. He is survived by his sister, Christine, and his grandchildren: Ana, Grace, Mikayla, and great-granddaughter Lillibeth . He was predeceased by his daughter Alix Illingworth (2025), son Graeme Illingworth (2023), and brother Peter Illingworth (missing since 1970).

Brian was a man who embodied unshakable authenticity. He never pretended to be anyone other than who he was. He spoke his mind, lived life on his own terms, and didn’t worry about what others thought. And while that kind of honesty might have turned some people away in this world, with Brian, it had the opposite effect. His directness wasn’t harsh—it was refreshing, genuine and magnetic. It was real. And it drew people in.

In our neighborhood, Brian was a constant presence, always with his loyal dogs Sammie and Maggie by his side. He wasn’t just a neighbor to us—he became something more. He was a father figure, a surrogate grandfather to the kids, and a steadfast friend to everyone. His presence was undeniable, the kind that wasn’t just noticed, but felt deeply.

To know Brian was to love him. His spirit was woven into the fabric of our neighborhood, and now, with his passing, that presence has left an emptiness that’s hard to put into words. We miss his daily walks, the evenings filled with his quirky old, and sometimes questionable, tunes, and the countless conversations he had with Sammie and Maggie. But more than anything, we’re filled with gratitude—for the man he was, the stories he shared, and the unwavering support he offered to all of us. Brian leaves behind a void that no one can fill. His shoes are simply too big.

An informal celebration of life was held at Bully’s Casino, 3401 Parkside Dr S, Lethbridge, AB, in the afternoon of Sunday, July 13th.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice in Brian’s memory.