Club member Richard Briand (1952-2025) died tragically on January 7 from severe injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident while wintering in Arizona. Polly, daughter Hayley and dear friends Jim, Susan and Anne were at his side.

Fellow players remember Richard as an especially strong server. Of course one never shows joy at besting an opponent. Nevertheless, a trace of a smile was never disguised as his ball sped past the receiver and Richard landed another ace. But he always smiled when playing tennis and laughed at the sheer joy of life on the court.

I played with him both in Arizona and White Rock. In the south he and Polly welcomed us at the resort they stayed at and Richard got me signed up to play with the resort’s tennis team and we competed against other vacation communities. Those were the best of times with lunches at Richard and Polly’s winter home plus swimming, a bit of lawn bowling and bocce.

Richard was a Vanguard, Saskatchewan prairie boy who by his early thirties had married his first wife Joan. Hayley was born and Richard became a bonus dad to Joan’s children.

Richard’s passion for aviation resulted in a stint as a northern bush pilot, but he quickly found his niche as an air traffic controller with NavCanada where he had a 35-year career that saw him based in several prairie cities.

Richard’s itchy, wandering feet guided him and Joan to many European and North American destinations. Recently Richard followed the twisty winding roads of many Nordic and Mediterranean countries, sometimes meeting up with Hayley mid-trip. In September he joined a motorcycle-safari tour in South Africa. At WRTC his conversation involved motorcycle trips more than tennis games.

Richard was a tennis devotee, a gadget collector, an ardent media fan, a Coronation Street and Brit Box enthusiast, a proud dad and a devoted husband (twice!)

Snowbirding in Mesa enabled Richard to devote his energy to his passions of tennis and motorcycling. Retirement, he often said, was “the best job I never had.”

Richard will be remembered for his zest of life and easy-going nature. He was passionate about philanthropy. The Salvation Army and M.O.S.A.I.C. (Muti-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities) was especially close to his heart.

Richard and Polly Lavack, both widowed in 2005, met at a bereavement support group. 

When Richard was transferred to Vancouver and they had to get married so the move would be covered by his employer. 

There will be a service in WR when the weather improves and Polly returns from Arizona. Anyone who has condolences or stories can send to this address: briandfamilycondolences@gmail.com