In Memory of Brian Robertson
Brian Douglas Robertson
April 27, 1961 - March 13, 2024
62 years old
CFC Pastor 1994 - 2024
Brian Douglas Robertson went to his eternal home, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family, on March 13th, 2024 after a long and well-fought battle with Multiple Myeloma. Brian is survived and remembered lovingly by his wife Leah of 41 years, his 5 children, Tim (Meghan), Sarah (Luke), Michael, Charlotte (Michael) and Emily. Missing their Poppa are his grand treasures, Freya, Jacob, Zoey, Reuben, Isabella, Theodore, Everly, Elsie and Felix. He will be deeply missed by his siblings, David (Laura), Stephen (Sybil), Kathryn (Dennis), Eun Young (Don) and his siblings-in-law Ned (Sheila), Susan (Dan), and Tim as well as countless cousins, and beloved nieces and nephews. Brian’s family was his greatest joy in life and his absence will be felt profoundly by all.
Brian was born in Kelowna BC in 1961 to Dr. Gordon and Daphne Robertson. He was the third of five children in his family. Brian attended Cowichan Secondary, grad class of 1979, before studying Education at the University of Victoria. In 1982, Brian married his teenage and life-long love Leah, whom he met at a summer camp, Camp Farthest Out, in 1978. They welcomed their first son, Tim into their family in 1983. Upon Brian’s graduation from UVIC in 1984, they moved to Clinton BC where Brian worked at David Stoddart Secondary teaching English and Physical Education. They attended Clinton Pentecostal Church and formed many life-long friendships. Their family grew again in 1986 with the birth of their first daughter Sarah. In 1987, Brian and Leah moved to Guatemala with Wycliffe Bible Translators where Brian taught and administered at Christian Academy of Guatemala. While serving in Guatemala they welcomed two more children to their family, Michael and Charlotte. During this time Brian also started, and later finished, his Masters of Human Resource Leadership. They moved back to Canada in 1990 and settled in Lillooet, BC where Brian was Assistant Principal and then Principal at Lillooet Secondary. Here they attended Lighthouse Christian Center. In the summer of 1994, the family moved to Parksville BC and Brian started work as Assistant Pastor at Christian Fellowship Center and Principal at Qualicum Beach Christian Academy. In 1995, after a year of working alongside and supporting senior pastor Graham Powell, Brian became the Senior Pastor at the church. Their family grew again with the arrival of their fifth child Emily in 1997.
Brian served faithfully in his role as Pastor at CFC for nearly 30 years and had a significant impact on the families of the church and the surrounding community. Throughout his years of ministry at CFC, Brian was an advocate for the role of women within the Church and in ministry. When Emily entered Kindergarten, Leah joined Brian on the pastoral team at CFC and many other women were released to lead, preach and function in the giftings and callings that God placed on their life. Brian was passionate about spreading the love and gospel of Jesus to the world, and intentionally increased the church’s involvement in, and monetary support of missions both locally and globally. Trips to Argentina, Romania, Mexico, Israel and countless trips to Esperanza, were just a few examples of his personal involvement in missions at CFC. He was a vital member within the Oceanside community, championing projects such as the free Community Christmas Banquet hosted every Christmas by the church family, and most recently, the Cold Weather Shelter set up at the church through BC Emergency Services and Risebridge. Brian and Leah served as foster parents for many years, providing a safe and loving home for children in difficult situations. In Brian’s own words, caring for those in need was a “no brainer” and that sentiment shone through in his life. A robust sense of humour, incredible desire for fun, God-given wisdom, sensitivity and astounding compassion are just a few of the defining characteristics of his leadership at the church and in the Oceanside community.
Following Brian’s diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma in 2012 he took a brief pause of his duties at the church while he received intensive treatment. It was very clear that although he battled for many years with his health, cancer did not define his life. In the nearly 12 years that Brian fought, he never stopped living! He completed two 10 kilometer running races, went on skiing trips with his kids, and an uncountable number of hikes and road trips. His keen sense of adventure and incredible joy and zest for life was an inspiration to everyone.
Brian was an extraordinary man with an extra large heart. His life was marked by an immovable faith in Jesus that resulted in an incredible capacity for love, integrity, acceptance, forgiveness, hard work, and humility. Brian loved and fathered well, not only his own children, but many others throughout his life, always encouraging and cheering on those around him.
The family sends their sincere appreciation to their friends, family and community for the incredible support and love they have received during this difficult time. They also extend their gratitude to the Nanaimo Cancer Clinic and the medical team for their compassionate care for Brian and his family.
A celebration of life for Brian was held on Saturday, April 13th at 1:00pm at Christian Fellowship Center, 825 Village Way in Qualicum Beach.