Brian Sigurdson, also lovingly referred to as Afi, beloved son of Snjolfur and Beatrice Sigurdson, passed away at his home on May 24, 2024. Born on June 8, 1943, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Brian was an only child who grew up on Victor Street in the core of Winnipeg. It was here that he began to form lifelong friendships that he cherished deeply.

Brian attended Silver Heights Collegiate, before pursuing higher education at the University of Manitoba. He was asked to join Delta Upsilon Fraternity in 1961, from which evolved the Penthouse Group. Brian graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology. He made so many lifelong friends and valued all the friendships formed there.

His professional journey began with Xerox Company, where he learnt the art of sales. Later moving to Edmonton, Alberta, for a position with Canadian Airlines, a move that was brief but significant. During his time in Edmonton, Brian and Candace married, welcoming their first son, Michael Jason Sigurdson, on September 19, 1974. Soon after, the family returned to their roots in Winnipeg, when Brian took a position with Northwest Airlines. With over more than 20 years with Northwest Airlines / Delta, Brian excelled as the District Sales Manager, forming lifelong relationships in the industry.

The Sigurdson family grew with the birth of their daughter, Colleen Susun, on December 7, 1976, and their son, Sean Snjolfur Sigurdson, on September 19, 1979. Brian participated in building their family home on the river in Charleswood. Brian's passion for life extended beyond his professional success. He was a true people person who loved being surrounded by friends and family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, and exploring nature. Brian loved to host and attend Grey cups, Lord Stanley cups and all gatherings. Travel was another one of Brian's great loves, he had so many wonderful stories from around the world.

When Brian retired from the airlines, he wanted to follow in his father Snowy's footprints – so Brian went out to get his semi-truck license and enjoyed his long-haul truck driving, delivering goods here and there around North America. He truly enjoyed the driving and listening to the truckers talk on the CB radio. His routes always consisted of forward motion – he would say with a smile. He was always happy to get home too.

As life carries on, with an open heart, Brian met Corinne Martin. Together, they traveled extensively and built a beautiful cabin in Grindstone, Manitoba, where they spent their summers. Winters were enjoyed in Pataya, Thailand, and Mazatlán, Mexico. During those years, Brian was able to build a life lasting bond with Corinne's family. Kim and Scott, Nancy and Mike, and their beautiful children, Kendall, Veronica and Serena. Brian truly loved the Martin family as they loved him. He was able to connect with the grandkids and thought of them as his own. The grandkids have many fond memories – such as fighting to be the one that sat beside Afi at the dinner table.

During this time in Grindstone, Brian thought it was a good idea to open his own building company, he enjoyed helping people build their homes at the lake. He called it Grindstone Builders. Well, he did put a window in sideways…He was an incredible builder, and his friends often came to his aid – Nile, John, Jack, Scott, Mike, Wayne, Gord and many more, you all know how he loved your help on projects…

The family faced a profound loss in May 2022, when Brian's first son, Jason, succumbed to a long battle with cancer. In the wake of this tragedy, Brian moved to Brandon, Manitoba, to be closer to his Brandon family. He spent his final years surrounded by his daughter Colleen & her husband Ken English, his son Sean & his wife Katrina. Brian's cherished grandchildren Kaolin, Kaya, Eva, Jack, Ellis, Finn, and Gray. Brian took immense joy in watching them participate in sports and their many activities in recent years.

Brian Sigurdson was truly happy and at peace in all his years. In his last years, Sean found him a little black truck – he said he always had wanted a truck – Brian was so proud to drive us around. We put a gps tracker in that truck as he would often take long drives without his phone. We would often find it parked at the movie theatre or at the grocery store. He enjoyed drives in his black truck to Minnedosa to see the buffalos and to simply scoot around town.

Brian has had many pets over the years – and enjoyed nature's animals, such as the foxes, deer, and wolves, that often travelled through the yard at the lake. The bird houses that were in the trees and not to mention Afi always feeding the birds on the deck railing - his leftover toast and snacks – he loved to allow nature into his life. He was also overjoyed to feed the wild jack rabbit's raw carrots as they visited him in his yard. He had a kind spirit that even the animals knew.

We can't forget to mention that he loved to teach the kids how to fish and how he loved to volunteer at the Grindstone Days fish fry. We will always crave and reminisce about your fish fry recipe, Afi.

We cannot forget about Afi teaching the kids to quad through the cottage trails, how to cut the grass, and play yard games. He will always be an incredible mentor to all those who had the opportunity to cross his path. We will always remember how proud Afi was to be an Icelander and how he loved to refer to himself as a true Viking.

His spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him. Next time you hear a loon or a wolf howl, pause and listen; it might just be Brian saying hello.


A Celebration of Brian's Life will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Charleswood Legion, 5995 Roblin Blvd, Winnipeg, MB.

Donations in memory of Brian may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5.