Obstetrician
It is with deep, profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Brian A. Hanlon on Feb. 21, 2025, at the age of 87.
Beloved husband of Deo Bodasing; dear brother of Séamus (Maura/Geraldine) (pre-deceased); Valerie (Bob) (pre-deceased); Ronnie (Mary); Raymond (Mary); and Francis (Barbara).
Loving father of Brian (Siobhán) (pre-deceased) and David (Adrienne); stepfather of Aman (Sheila) and Ronitha (Greg); grandfather to Olivia (pre-deceased), Nancy Jane, Robert, Isabelle, David Jr, Zoe, Cal and Téa Maharaj, and Aria and Leia Hammerschmidt.
Brian was born in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 2, 1937, to Valentine and Mae Hanlon.
Brian’s first career choice was a messenger/delivery boy for a local store. Armed with only his primary certificate, he would later become a qualified car paint sprayer.
In his late teens/early twenties, Brian decided that he wanted to be a doctor. He did not have a high school diploma. During the course of one year, Brian was able to complete his entire high school education and apply to medical school.
Brian attended the National University of Ireland, University College of Dublin and graduated from medical school in 1969. Brian left Ireland in 1969 and started practising in N.L, Canada. He then returned to Ireland to study obstetrics in the Coombe Hospital in Dublin and completed his certificate in 1972.
Brian moved back to Canada to the tiny town of Wingham, Ontario, in 1972, where he ran his practice and cared for the entire community. He was brilliant at his trade and took great pride in always finding the solution to any medical condition. He loved his small-town life in Wingham, England, and always remembered those days fondly.
He married Deo in 1988, and eventually moved to Thornhill, Ont. He built his dream home with Deo and loved entertaining his Irish and South African families. A perfect day for Brian was waking up with the love of his life on a summer day, working a half day and saving some lives, and hitting the golf course at Bayview Country Club. Brian worked up until his last days and had an unwavering passion for medicine.
Aside from his love of golf and medicine, Brian also loved to travel with his favourite travel companion, Deo. They were fortunate to see nearly every continent in the world, multiple times. Whether on a cruise or on an extended multi-country trip, Brian was always planning the next adventure with Deo.
Even as Brian is now on his final journey, a piece of him will always be with Deo everywhere she goes.