Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

April 30, 2025 Posted in Canada Rugby / CW Rugby / Giving Back / Victoria BC / News / Community

BRENT JOHNSTON

A Celebration of His Life

A date has been set for a gathering to celebrate Brent’s life. The event will take place in a zoned area on the pitch at Windsor Park, Oak Bay, on Saturday, May 24th, commencing promptly at 3:00 and concluding at 5:00 p.m. The affair will be uncomplicated as Brent would have wished, and it will be a wonderful opportunity to focus on his myriad attributes, to renew friendships, and exchange stories.

We already have had confirmation of attendees from across our vast land. Owing to the fact it is impossible to predict the numbers coming, we ask for some grace. Our expectations are for a large gathering. There will be some seating available, should you wish, feel free to bring a camping chair. Regardless of the weather, the event will proceed, as would any rugby game.

There will be two ‘entrances’ to the enclosed area where “Memory Pages” will be available to complete. The collage of memories will be collated into a bound book for his family. We ask attendees to be sure to enter a thought. Parking will be limited in the immediate vicinity. We suggest that folks park at the Oak Bay Marina parking lot and walk two blocks to Windsor Park. Please be careful not to block driveways.

There will be a “Brent Dress Code” for the day. A white shirt partly rolled sleeves and a tie with collar unbuttoned. Food and libations will be available. We would ask you consider a donation which will be used towards funding a program near to Brent’s heart.

Finally, the opportunity to continue the gathering will carry over to the Temple (open at 5:30). We would ask that you imbibe responsibly on the day.

We offer our sincere thanks to Colleen and the family, Phillips Brewing Company, Penny Farthing Pub, Thrifty Foods at James Bay, James Bay RFC and Tom Woods.

ONE CLUB

Further "snippets"........

I was very saddened by Brent’s passing, as I lost a great friend.

He was my scrum half partner in the halcyon days, when U Vic became the first Canadian Club Team to beat a NATIONAL team (Uruguay 1975), on their South American Tour . He was also my partner in those two years as player/coach when we walked away with the Canadian WEST Universities Crown, beating UBC 3-0 at home, and then again as a halfback partner, when the Castaways European Touring team of 1977, acquitted themselves with such considerable honor. There were many other occasions when we suffered defeat, but he never needed to be reminded of the accepted responses to defeat that our culture demanded. He was a competitive Gentleman to the end, and one as Canadians, whom we embraced and respected for his enormous core rugby values.

His role as Canadian Team Manager was the reward for all his commitment at Club and Provincial level. CW will not find a more efficient man with as many skills as he gave us. In this game of ours, he was "The Man for All Seasons".…….

What an enormous soldier he was.

I was always so proud of his commitment, and yet to be truthful, he worried me at times, as he attended to the smallest of details, as he himself worried for the game of rugby and all that we hold in reverence. His worry was his way of making sure we had a solid platform, as he gave the very best that our game had to offer. Minutia was simply fine detail that had to be addressed, and it should never become an impediment to the cause. Such men are genuinely precious, and he will be a huge loss to his family and to our game.

Travel well..... Groundhog.

His legacy was felt on the other side of the country. Stories of his kindness and commitment found their way into our home. From his claiming to be an uncle in an effort to make sure living arrangements were cool, fo his insistence for respect of CW kit …even at the most inopportune moments, he truly embodied the club to us way out east.
We extend our condolences to his family and the club and we remain ever grateful for all he did for Jack.

BJ was one of my roommates when I lived in the Gorge district in Victoria—first Susan, then Peter, and now Brent, who all lived with us on the Gorge. It saddens me to hear of his passing. Colleen and Brent also lived in an apartment below me when we lived near Fort St. in Victoria. Though quiet, Brent was an athlete who had conviction and strong ideals that he lived by. Size was a problem in rugby, but Brent had the heart of a champion, a star's smile, and a warrior's character. I would often seek his advice on issues, as his insight into the world around us was profound. I will miss him and wish I could have touched base with him before he passed. Goodbye, Brent, I will still think of you, and you will not die in my memory.

I was just in Florida for the Tropical Sevens tournament and CW was there representing. Brent’s name came up often and nothing but an outpouring of love and respect for him. A real loss.

Deepest condolences to the Johnston and CW families. Brent was a great rugby man who always made time for everyone and their needs. May he rest in peace.

The Warrior