Brian Gerard Spare
| Brian Gerard Spare | |
|---|---|
| Brian G. Spare; Dr. Brian Spare | |
| Born | 1959 Sudbury, Ontario |
| Died | 2024-02-16 Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| Occupation | Scientist, laboratory owner, writer |
| Employer | Tara Scientific Laboratories |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
Dr. Brian Gerard Spare (died 16 February 2024) was a Thunder Bay scientist, writer and Lakeheadologist. He ran Tara Scientific Laboratories and later wrote for Bayview Magazine.[1][2]
Life and family
Brian Gerard Spare was born in Sudbury, Ontario, to parents Peter Dennitts Spare and Kathleen Spare. At the age of thirteen, he underwent radiation treatment for a brain tumour, which resulted in lifelong physical disabilities. During his recovery, the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board arranged for a teacher, Olga Gernat, to provide home instruction.[3]
He pursued higher education at Lakehead University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in biology and chemistry. He later obtained a PhD from Columbia Pacific University. Professionally, he owned and operated Tara Scientific Laboratories and was a regular contributor to Bayview Magazine.[3]
He was predeceased by his parents, Peter Dennitts Spare and Kathleen Spare. He was survived by his sister Cat, who was present at the time of his passing.[3]
He died in Thunder Bay on February 16, 2024, at the age of 64. Arrangements were handled by Sargent and Son Funeral Home.[3]
Early life and education
Spare was born in Sudbury to Peter and Kitty Spare. In Grade 8, aged 13, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and treated with what was then a new radiation therapy, which left him with lasting physical challenges. During his recovery the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board sent a teacher, Olga Gernat, to his home so that he could keep up with his studies.[2][4] He earned an HBSc and MSc in biology and chemistry from Lakehead University and a PhD in Health and Human Services (1995) from Columbia Pacific University.[2][5]
Career
For many years he operated Tara Scientific Laboratories.[2] He later left science to write and edit for a living.[5] He was a long-time Toastmaster, a TED Talks coach, and a digital storyteller and coach with Age BIG and Story Centre Canada.[2][4]
Writing
- The Hunt for Moby Dick (Translated), a self-published abridged and updated retelling of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick (ebook).[2][6]
- Articles for Bayview Magazine, which were popular with readers.[2]
- "The Eaton's Building: A New Life" (blog post, 7 June 2021), a history of the Eaton's department store building in Port Arthur, which opened on 12 October 1938.[7]
- A Child of the Universe, a digital story video inspired by Max Ehrmann's "Desiderata", made in July 2021 for Story Centre Canada's "Cripping the Story" project on artists with disabilities.[8]
- "My Favourite Christmas Present", a video on his YouTube channel.[9]
At the time of his death he was working on a memoir, The Boy Who Couldn't Smile.[2]
Death
He died on 16 February 2024, aged 64.[2]
⚙️ AI TODO: Expand using Source
References
- ↑ The Chronicle-Journal, 9 March 2024, p. 2(D)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Brian Spare (obituary). The Chronicle-Journal via Legacy.com. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Obituary for Brian Gerard Spare, Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 2024-02-16, via memorial.sargentandson.com. Archived copy on datum.locker.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Tribute to a Friend. Bayview Magazine, March 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Determination to Spare: Local author and scientist inspires with his passion for writing and overcoming (Nancy Angus). Bayview Magazine, via briangspare.com (archived). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- ↑ The Hunt For Moby Dick (Translated) by Brian G. Spare PhD. Indigo. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- ↑ The Eaton's Building: A New Life. briangspare.com (archived). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- ↑ A Child of the Universe. briangspare.com (archived). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- ↑ My Favourite Christmas Present. YouTube (channel: Brian G. Spare). Retrieved 27 October 2026.