Obituary of Brian Howard Manuel

MANUEL, Dr. Brian Howard (DVM ’73) - Age 75, Of Chelsea. It is with great sadness that his family shares the news that Brian Manuel passed away on October 27, 2023, unexpectedly, at the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater. Brian was the son of the late W. Graham and Anne (Mosher) Manuel.

His love of animals of every variety started at a young age. Brian graduated as a veterinarian from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1973 and embarked on a 50 year career on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. He established the Nova Veterinary Clinic in 1975. Through his work for various veterinary professional organizations, serving for many years as the executive of the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association, he contributed to areas related to disciplinary matters, policy development, mentorship, education, and stewardship. Although respected and acknowledged for his exceptional practice of veterinary medicine, Brian was so much more than his professional reputation. Many lifelong friendships were forged with either a hockey stick or a fishing rod in his hand. Countless trips to Moose Cove, with trips over that hill or years of early morning hockey.

His ability to imagine it, build it, or fix it has been passed along to the next generation of Manuels. His talent for storytelling and recounting the “one that got away” tales has always been a favourite of everyone he met. Each story changes a bit with the recounting of the details each time it is told. He had a great sense of humor and always left a lasting impression with his laughter and wide grin. Brian loved to travel, scuba dive, and explore with Janet. They had years of travel throughout the southern Caribbean, exploring the seas and discovering all the creatures that lay beneath the surface. Brian loved his time on the water. Whether it be exploring with “Iza Bye” throughout the harbours of the South Shore, water skiing - always on a slalom ski, or sailing around Fisher Lake on his homemade catamaran, or a windsurfer. One of his favorite places was the beautiful log cabin he and Janet built. Generations of Manuels have learned to swim and fish there with “Grampy”.

Brian was the beloved husband of almost 44 years to Janet (Bollivar). He will be loved and missed forever by his daughters, Carrie Ernst (Steven), and Sarah King (Shane); son, Ian (Anne); grandchildren, Brennan (Brenna), and Meaghan Ernst, Lucas and Jessie (Devon) Manuel, Brady (Brianna), Kayser and Carleigh Manuel, and Liam and Ella Murphy; sisters, Ruth Lambert (Brian), Joan Manuel, and Judy Grant (Alan); sister-in-law, Cheryl Carter (Ron); brothers-in-law, Paul (Tami) and Jim (Charmaine) Bollivar; and many nieces and nephews. We all will forever be lost without his guidance, wisdom, and love. Besides his parents, Brian was predeceased by his son, David (Michelle); and brother, Allan.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Ian Grant and Melanie Ellerker at the Nova Scotia ALS clinic and Dr. Fiodar Kuznetsov, at the South Shore Regional Hospital for their care and compassion. A Memorial Service and Reception in Celebration for Brian will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at The Days Inn, 50 North Street, Bridgwater, NS. Donations in Brian’s memory may be made to the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick ALS Society or the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. Family flowers only. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater, where online condolences and messages may be made by visiting www.sweeneysfuneralhome.com.

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others” - Pericles