Tribute Wall
Saturday
5
November
Memorial Service
1:00 pm
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
1585 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-922-1167
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Helen Taylor posted a condolence
Friday, January 6, 2017
I was very saddened to hear of Brian's passing. I am very sorry to have missed the memorial service but I just found out today. Brian was my teacher at Deer Park and he asked me to work in the kitchen at Mazinaw during my high school years. It was the best experience of my life. I will always remember Brian as a kind, funny, wise, inspiring person. My younger brother attended Mazinaw as a camper for two summers and he and I recall those summers at camp with much fondness.
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Ian Cunningham pledged to donate to Kids in Camp
Sunday, November 6, 2016
I will always be grateful for the 7 memorable summers I spent at Maz.
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Jocelyn Palm pledged to donate to Kids in Camp
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Well remembered and forever appreciated for his unfailing support of camping for kids.
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Rob Heming donated to KIDS IN CAMP
Thursday, October 20, 2016
I am sorry to lose such a wonderful friend and heartfelt condolences to the family!
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John Howitt posted a condolence
Sunday, October 9, 2016
So sorry to hear of Brian's passing. I was a Mazinaw counsellor for 3 summers in the mid 60's and it changed my life positively forever. What a wonderful adventure the Blackstocks and others created.
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Jen Hobbs donated to KIDS IN CAMP
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Bergsmas/McLeans: So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Jen, Alicia & Caitlin
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Connie Roias Farrell posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Brian Blackstock (or should I say Mr. Blackstock) was my Grade 6 science teacher at Lord Lansdowne Public School in Toronto in 1966. I was a 12 year old New Canadian student who had just emigrated from the Azores and who barely spoke a word of English. His science class was one of my favourite classes. “It was a very happy place to be!”
Connie Roias Farrell
Toronto, Ontario
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Charles F. Boyd posted a condolence
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Through our love for Pickering College and the values which she adheres to, Brian and I became fast friends. We both felt deeply about an education which can open a young person's mind and thereafter open up a world of enchantment and excitement to such a life. Letting such people loose on our world will bring change for the benefit of mankind, was Brian's goal. Such people will have their feet firmly planted in the earth and their lives open to embrace the wonders of living on our planet.
Brian was such a person. He was alive to learning, to nature and to the people around him. He saw in all such tremendous possibilites, and like the Quaker philosophy, he looked for the that kernel of truth, that made people stand apart. There was a depth to this man that spoke of greatness. He had a global vision which was always looking for new horizons, and he could see the merit of young people searching for their own nirvana.
I will miss our times together, and the encouragement he gave me to reach for the heavens. Out of respect for him, I will do my best to fulfill his dreams.
Charles F. Boyd.
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Brian Purdy posted a condolence
Thursday, September 22, 2016
I roomed with Brian at PC in 1954. We were the only "Brians" in the school. He helped me run a 'tuck shop' from our room, and we sold, among other things like coke and chips - cigarettes!
I stayed connected with Brian over these many years, and served on several committees and the PC Board with him.
He invited me to lecture a class on my advertising experiences when he taught at a school in the Regent Park area.
Brian was always energetic and positive with his purposes.
I will miss my dear friend.
Brian Purdy '56
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Brian Worrall posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Brian Blackstock has been a leader, exemplar and teacher in the lives of many, including myself. I first met him 57 years ago, when I was a youngster at Camp Mazinaw. During my years there and later, as an alumnus of Pickering College, I always benefited from his very positive influence. I will miss him. I extend my condolences to his family and friends.
Brian Worrall
Windsor, Ontario
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Peter Sturrup - Pickering College posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Brian was a such an important figure in the life of Pickering College. No one was more passionate about or cared more deeply for the school. He held the generations of alumni together through his personal connection to almost 80 years of students, staff, parents and alumni with whom he came into contact. He knew the very best of the school's ideals and accepted no less from anyone associated with Pickering College.
We will miss Brian deeply: his wry sense of humour, his kind and thoughtful actions, his presence at every special event and his spirited expressions of all that he loved about the school.
Our deepest condolences go out to Brian's family, as well as to all of his friends who benefited from his presence in their lives.
Peter
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Hugh Stuart posted a condolence
Sunday, September 18, 2016
To The Blackstock Families + ALL Who were close to Him
Im very sorry to hear the news . He was My Gr.6 + 7 Teacher . In Class He helped "Everyone " really prepare for that next step in School and gave " unlimited " extra help to ALL .
Nearly every day He shared something even if it was outside the Curriculum on how things ( ANYthing !!! ) really ticked . He would even stop a film projector to give a rundown on that particular segment .
Despite being a very serious Teacher He had " most unbelievable " sense of Humour .
He is missed by Me and " endless " others .
---Hugh
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Don Kerr posted a condolence
Sunday, September 18, 2016
On July 5 of this year Brian wrote the following in a note to me. He was helping me edit my book. "So - those are my thoughts. It's an interesting game - this 'life' thing. We can only play the hands we are dealt to the best of our abilities. It's always good when others players, with different hands, play in such a way that it helps us on ours."
Last week I wrote this:
Today I lost a friend.
He was my mentor.
He was my guide.
He was my counsellor.
He was my reality check.
He was my brother from a different mother.
He was my father.
He was my supporter.
He was my coach.
He was my editor.
He was my link to the past and my bridge to today.
.
From the age of 13 he was on my side.
He never let me wallow in the messiness of my mind.
He though always ALWAYS would listen.
The following is excerpted from a blog posting I wrote in July.
When I visited my friend (Brian) in Toronto I was seeking guidance on a few fronts - he's a published author so I sought his counsel on how to proceed with my publishing efforts. I wanted him to share some insights on raising young boys and when he felt was a good time to introduce them to a camp environment similar to that which we had shared. I was hoping to learn from his experience as a lifelong teacher and a man.
As we were talking I was thinking about how in life so much of what we do is similar to travels in a canoe. Sometimes it is smooth paddling and we relax while enjoying the silence and smooth rhythm of our strokes. Other times we venture into fast-running water and have to skilfully navigate the rapids. This is when our skills must be top notch and our judgement as well must guide us as we determine whether to run the rapids or head to shore to portage.
While I was thinking of this, Brian left the room. He came back carrying a magnificent beaver-tail paddle. It is emblazoned with the crest of Camp Mazinaw and it is truly a wonderful creation.
He told me it was mine.
He told me that I must use it. A dry paddle is of little use.
He told me to think of our journeys every time I dipped the paddle into the water and pulled to move forward or feathered it as I moved sideways. He told me to use it wisely to quickly negotiate the turns that life requires by employing the pry stroke and then to change direction again with the draw.
Me
The waters have suddenly become roiled and it will be with Brian's spirit and guidance in mind that I move forward.
I am grateful that I saw him so recently and benefited from his counsel.
I am regretful that I shan't have that opportunity again.
If you have someone like this in your life, count your good fortune.
Speak to them now.
We know for certain what is happening in this moment.
We have no idea at all what may happen only minutes from now.
Peace and may the waters be calm on your journey my friend.
Good bye.
For now.
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Noreen Scarth posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2016
I will always remember Mr. Blackstock from my Deer Park days. The way he taught us about scurvy by eating chalk, and having it drop out of his mouth like teeth is particularly memorable.
I also remember him being such a great sport when I 'won' the chance to push him in to the pool of the end of the diving board as the class looked on...
I no longer live in Toronto, and I think it speaks volumes that a former classmate came across this obituary, and took the time to tell me. Mr. Blackstock will always be fondly remembered by so many former students, lucky enough to have had him in their lives.
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Mary Louise McGee posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2016
I remember Mr. Blackstock as my grade 7 science teacher at Deer Park in the 80's!! It was a fun class and I learnt a lot!! He will be missed.
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Michael Aiken posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2016
To The Blackstock family I extend my sincere feelings and condolences. I must put these feelings into context. It begins with Blackie being a mentor to me at Pickering. This was followed by 8 summers at camp Mazinaw. Brian and I were in the same cabin and then bunked together as trippers at camp.
Brian was a great friend. We had a wonderful time as cabin mates, skinning mice that roamed the cabin and putting the pelts on caps. Wonderful canoe trips to Weslymikoon lake and other lakes in the area (Loon Lake) were a highlight.
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Bruce Godbold posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2016
I had the pleasure of teaching with Brian for many years at Deer Park.His compassion for children and sense of humour were .two of his greatest assets. He impacted many lives including my own.Be at peace my friend Bruce Godbold
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Robert Huffman posted a condolence
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Our condelences. Brian will be greatly missed.
-Robert, Judy & Amelia Huffman
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Bruce Godbold posted a condolence
Friday, September 16, 2016
I spent many memorable years teaching across the hall from Brian at Deer Park.I will always remember his sense of humour and great passion for children.You had an impact on many lives including my own.Rest in peace my friend. Bruce Godbold
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Leigh (Thurlow) Pritchard posted a condolence
Friday, September 16, 2016
It just occurred to me that I've known Brian since my first summer of life.
One of my memories of Brian that will always make me smile is when he used to lead the Camp in the song, "Zoompa-Zah" (sp?).
---Although admittedly it was a little bit scary when I was really young :-)
He touched SO MANY lives, and I feel both honoured and blessed that mine was one of them.
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Susan Strong posted a condolence
Friday, September 16, 2016
Brian was a wonderful person! I will truly miss our conversations, his advice and his generosity. Rest in peace my friend.
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Elvin Wingay posted a condolence
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Never a dull moment when you were in the company of this wonderful individual. Rest peacefully.
Elvin
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Michael Bakker and Jessica Green posted a condolence
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Richard and Family,
We wish you and your entire family our support during this most difficult of times.
I was blessed to know Brian personally and professionally for 20 years - he was a mentor and always a wonderful and loyal friend. We are so fortunate to have spent time with him this summer in 'The County' - these are now the most precious of memories.
His influences in education and children's summer camping live on through the thousands of people that he touched, directly and indirectly.
Thinking of you and hoping memories of Brian will offer you some measure of peace.
Michael Bakker and Jess Green
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Jane Lynes donated to KIDS IN CAMP
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Please accept my very deepest sympathy. Brian, his passion and his thoughtfulness will be missed.
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The family of Brian Blackstock uploaded a photo
Thursday, September 15, 2016
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Bruce MacNeil posted a condolence
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Dear Brian, thank you for your encouragement by always showing interest
In my original music. We were always first and foremost friends. You gave so much of yourself to so many over the years. We had our differences and even though years would pass a conversation would seemingly erase any time gone by.
The void I feel is rather big right now as it seems to me you left too soon .........you have found a more peaceful place but your life and influence still lives......
Mazinaw, dear Mazinaw
I can see if all,
Mazinaw, dear Mazinaw
Can you hear me calll........
To Dick and family my condolences
Sincerely,
Bruce MacNeil
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Jane and Doug Muston posted a condolence
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Richard, and family. Firstly all my love. There is not a single memory I have as a child that the Mazinaw and the Blackstocks were not apart of. Brian was Brian larger than life, made his own rules and had an opinion about everything. I LOVED him dearly. Tears flow as I just remember. I hope his final years were peaceful and full of family. He was so proud to be an uncle, and an honourary uncle to so many children. I still remember the gift and card he sent when Lisa was born. "Thank you for keeping teachers employed" oddly enough he was in my thoughts this past week, his way of saying goodbye. May memories sustain your hearts, Doug and I send peace to you and yours. MAY THE MAZINAW BE WITH YOU! God Bless.
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Zoran Raicevic posted a condolence
Thursday, September 15, 2016
The deepest condilences to family. I remember Brian as good person. We had so many conversations and I will remember him allways! Its big loss for our community
