Brian Toner

At the Falls Villa (Grand Falls Manor), May 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and children, Mr. Brian Toner of Grand Falls passed away at the age of 90.  Born at Grand Falls in 1933, he was a son of the late Frank and Gertrude (Kilfoil) Toner.

He is survived by his beloved wife Laureen Ouellette, his sons and daughters, Louis (Hélène Tardif), Ivan (Margot Hookey), David (Beth Leblanc), Janet, Janice (Steven Golden), Susan (Paul Eisner), Brenda (Bruce Murchison), Monica (Jim Yerxa) and Steve (pre-deceased) (Kim Mersereau); twenty grandchildren: Beatrice (Chava Green) and Joseph Toner (Renée Sawtelle); Melanie and Adam Toner; Joshua (Monica MacGillivray), Aaron (Jerrica Shea), Megan and Jillian Toner and Isabelle Kent; Emma and Matthew Golden; Samuel and Andrea Eisner; Parker and Carter Murchison; Mallory and Andrew McLean; Ethan, Jackie and Kaitlyn Toner and three great grandchildren: Ralph, Raya and Laura.

Brian is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Frederick (late Anita Boudreau), Sister Margaret Toner, Clara (late Maurice Ouellette), Marie (late Victor Godbout), Conrad (Linda Levesque), Earl "Dickie" (Irma Beaulieu) and Donna (Michelle Boulanger), sister-in-law, Carmelle Durepos (late Thomas "Timmy" Toner) as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by infant sister Georgina, his brothers Wilfred (late Julie Leblanc), Mark (late Rita Lang), Claude (late Susan Rideout), and his sister Jeanne (late Bill Brennan); sisters-in-law, Aline (late Alexandre Godbout), Lauria (late Gérard Desjardins and Conrad Desjardins), Marie Ouellette and Cécile (late Léon Desjardins), brothers in law, Gérard (late Lorette Desjardins), Aldéric (late Gemma St-Amand), Louis-Philippe (late Yvette Levesque), Anthelme (late Noëlla Ouellette), François (Sylvia Desjardins), Rhéo (late Gemma Beaulieu), Maurice (Clara Toner), three-year-old François, and Joseph who died at birth.

 

Married for more than 66 years, Brian’s love and commitment to Laureen was first and foremost.  They were inseparable.  Most would remember seeing Brian and Laureen on their daily walks, at the church or enjoying some social time with dear friends.  Even while raising a family of nine children, they always took time away for each other traveling to parts of the world such as Medjugorje nourishing their devotion to their faith.  Brian was a loving and supportive father, welcoming the friends and partners of his children with open arms. Brian’s home was often a gathering spot for the friends of his children before they would head out water skiing, downhill skiing, before a game of kick the can or hide and seek.  He made his children feel heard and safe giving them the confidence to pursue what was important to them near or far.  Brian’s grand children loved their grandad.  When they spoke, he listened and made them feel like they were the most important person in his world.  Brian will also be remembered for the many people he encouraged and supported within his community.  He had a strong work ethic and encouraged those around him to believe in themselves and strive to reach their fullest potential even through difficult times. We are now comforted in knowing that Brian and late son Steve are together again.  He will be greatly missed.     

Resting at the O'Regan's Funeral Home, 515 Everard Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls with visiting hours on Thursday, May 16th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 17^th at 10 am at the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Grand Falls.  Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

For those unable to attend, the funeral service will be live-streamed using the link below: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=6bab068f-b0e2-48ea-8e14-2fcc95b24178

The family would like to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Résidences Jodin in Edmunston, the Falls Villa in Grand Falls and the Grand Falls General Hospital for the excellent care given to Brian during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society, the Falls Villa Memorial Fund (Fonds commémoratif de la Villa des Chutes) or Mass Offerings for Brian will be appreciated by the family.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Guy L. O'Regan Funeral Home Ltd.