Brian Blekkenhorst

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Brian Blekkenhorst announces his untimely passing on July 10, 2021 at the age of 37.  Brian was born and raised in Thunder Bay.  

His first job was working the hay fields on his uncle’s dairy farm.  He then worked at Wal-Mart in the tire department while attending Hammarskjold High School.  After graduation he enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician program at Confederation College while apprenticing at Murillo Sales & Service (Wessenaars).  He continued his career of 12 years at D&M Automotive, with the last 3 years as the Manager and Head Mechanic.  Brian’s caring nature and treating his customers like family earned him countless lifelong customers and a solid reputation in the trade.
 
First and foremost, Brian’s passion was his family, camping, fishing, canoeing, and riding his motorcycles. His hobbies and interests included his remote control (R/C) toys, participating in the Slate River Plow Match with his family, playing baseball, and off-roading in his beloved FJ.
 
Brian is survived by his life partner, Rebecca Parker and “his boys” Preston and Quinton Brasch; father, Berend (Peggy) Blekkenhorst; mother, Leslie (Ken) Kikby; sister, Christina Blekkenhorst; brother, Nickolas Kirkby; grandpa, Morris(Papa) Kibzey.  He is predeceased by his grandparents, Geertje (Oma) and Jan (Opa) Blekkenhorst; uncle, Jed Blekkenhorst, Nellie (Baba) and Peter (Grandpa) Kibzey, Barbara (Granny) Anderson, and his uncle, Paul Kibzey.

A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre ICU and the amazing team at Saint Boniface Hospital ICU in Winnipeg where Brian was treated with the utmost care and compassion.  In Lieu of flowers, on behalf of his Uncle Jed, Brian would appreciate donations to be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.  Private gathering of family and friends will take place at a later date.