It is with heartfelt sadness that Brian Mason's family has to share the news of his passing on June 4th, 2023 at the age of 78 in New Brunswick. Brian was born on November 27,1944 and was raised in New Waterford ,Cape Breton, Nova Scotia by his parents Buddy and Theresa(Rockwell) Mason. He was a devoted husband to his girlfriend from grade 4, Joyce (Berger) and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage. He was proud of their two children- "Buddy" John and Janice (Lloyd) Walton. He felt very fortunate to have four grandchildren- Buddy's twins Callie and Albert (16), and Janice and Lloyd's children Madison (12) and Cooper (10). He leaves behind his brothers Charles(Doreen) Mason and Rick (Pat) Burt.Brian will be greatly missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his sister Shirley(Gus) Schaump and many beloved family members and cherished friends.

Brian was very personable and entertaining. He told stories and jokes and was always quick witted and teasing. He enjoyed talking to people and in later years spent hours on the phone or watching trivia and game shows.He loved live music and had a one man band show and even made a CD and toured with the Carlton Showband and as the "singing bus driver". He did commercials and was president of his "motorcycle group" the FOG riders, short for Fat Old Guys - their motto was ride to eat.

Much of Brian's adult life was spent in Hamilton, Ontario working at Stelco Steel or Poole's Harley Davidson dealership. He brought laughter to many fellow musicians,crowds and motorcycle enthusiasts. Anyone that crossed his path was left with a smile.

There will be a celebration of life at the Waterville Hall on Thursday June 8th at 6. By choice, donations would be appreciated by Calvin United Church in New Waterford.

Brian's Life Story

Growing up in the small town of New Waterford, Brian had a passion for driving and cars. He worked for the Purdy family as much as possible. Brian met his one true love, Joyce when she transferred to Central School in grade 4. He joined the police branch of the Royal Canadian Air Force but was honorably discharged when his father became ill. Following his father's death, he and Joyce were married in 1967 and moved to Ontario. He worked at Stelco Steel and also at Poole's Cycle and Parkway towing to afford regular trips to his Cape Breton home. At home they enjoyed music with well known musicians Billy and Bobby Lewis and George Cadden. In Ontario they enjoyed motorcycling, hanging around the racers of flat track motorcycle racing, camping, fishing and the live music scene.They spent time with many friends from music and motorcycling.They had lots of laughs with their friends Harvey and Gail Timmins, Bob and Shirley Cairns, Bill and Jan Peer,Bill and Sandy Leslie and Burns and Shirley Rockwell. Brian started a music career with the encouragement of his close friend Ray(Ginger) Power, another well know Cape Breton musician. He had a one man band show and performed country and Cape Breton folk music in Hamilton and Niagara area . He made a CD with the help of his musician friend Melvin Aucoin.

In 1984 the family moved to Newfoundland for a short time to manage a Tim Horton's store. They then returned to their Cape Breton roots and built a convenience store in New Waterford. They spent a lot of time in the Baddeck area where his mother had a cottage. They made new friends there and reconnected with family like Donald and Judy Rockwell, and Earl Timmons.

In 1990 they moved back to Ontario and rebuilt their life there. They both worked at the motorcycle shop and were involved in the music scene. Brian played with fellow musicians and friends regularly at the Waterdown Legion. He held his own with well known musicians like Johnny Burke, Mel Aucoin, and Bill Peer, He would tell stories and jokes before he sang. Gordie Tapp, known from the HeeHaw show, felt that he was a hard act to follow! After leaving the motorcycle shop, he toured with the Carlton Showband and did long haul trucking.

In 2004 they returned to their Cape Breton roots once again when his mother's health was declining. They renovated her cottage in Baddeck and made a life there. He drove dump truck, played music, and made many trips to New Brunswick and Maryland to visit their children and their young families. They enjoyed the company of Sharon and McGee MacFarlane and their family, Bobby and Linda MacDonald, Sandi (Jury) MacDonald and her mother Sandra and David, Debbie and Anne Fraser and her family. He spent time with his friends Winston Nicholson, Angus Nicholson,Donnie DD,Aaron Lewis and Lonnie, Lisa and Eleanor Burns. He looked forward to Wednesday morning meetings with the Free Wheelers .

In 2020 they moved to New Brunswick to be closer to their daughter and family to make life more manageable. He enjoyed being back around his cousins Burns Rockwell and the Lawrence family- Rita, Marsha, Jim and Suzanne and Donna and Sterling. Sterling offered a lot of his time helping to construct an addition on the house and was always there to help. Dr. Clay Marco made regular visits to help Brian manage his lung disease and other issues. Dr.Annette Anderson was also a compassionate care provider. In his final years with his decreased mobility, he enjoyed talking to friends on the phone, and spoke to his long time friend Bill Leslie almost daily. He was in regular contact with friends and family such as Bob Middaugh, Shirley Cairns, Barbie Mickey, Steve Rae, Stephanie and Bertha Power, David Fraser, Bobby KR, Steve and Penney Swatick and his brothers Charles Mason and Rick Burt. He will be greatly missed, as he had missed so many friends and family that predeceased him.