Rick Brough, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, formerly of Fort St. John, BC, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at the age of 64 years.

Rick was born on October 21, 1956, in Beaverlodge, AB. He was the baby of the family. His family lived in Rio Grande, AB, before moving to Fort St. John when Rick was two. When Rick’s family moved off of the

Rio Grande homestead, the family of his wife Brenda moved onto it and she was born shortly after that. Rick was raised in Fort St. John, where he enjoyed hanging out with his buddies, often ending up at the rodeo, where he met the love of his life, Brenda Kennedy. Rick and Brenda married in Dawson Creek, BC, on October 4, 1975. While residing in Fort St. John, they were blessed with their children Tanis (Dave) Voth and Tyler (Erica) Brough, as well as six grandchildren Tristin, Daytin, Dustin and Taytlin Voth, and Kennedy and Hudson Brough.

In Fort St. John, Rick worked for James Good Trucking. In 1981, Rick was transferred to Grande Prairie. A true oilfield guy, Rick survived the booms and busts, working for many different companies. He was always dedicated to work, sometimes “too dedicated”. His favourite job of all was working sales for Randy Broderson Trucking. He enjoyed working with the guys, and they were like family to him.

Rick enjoyed family gatherings, camping, quadding (especially at the cabin), playing horseshoes or watching the family race chuckwagons and racehorses.

If you were lucky enough to see Rick and Brenda dance together, you’d have witnessed pure beauty; they shone on the dance floor. Brenda joked that Rick was too good of a dancer; once he hit the dance floor, everyone wanted a turn! Rick and Brenda enjoyed many fun times out at the old Grande Prairie Speedway, where Rick was a member of Al Oelke, #77’s “Best Looking Pit Crew” (they were awarded this trophy, only it should have said “Best dressed” right Pam?).

Rick and Brenda played ball with the Keddie’s Outlaws. Rick and Brenda spent many weekends with their fellow hockey parents, who became lifelong friends, like family. Years of road trips, arenas and proud wins! Good times often reminisced about. Rick would say, “I saw so and so from your old team Ty, they’ve sure grown up to be a fine young man”. Rick was proud of the hockey boys; the boys all looked up to him as well. The many calls and messages of condolences show us how special those years were and how they last a lifetime. Rick’s truest love, besides Brenda, was his children.

He especially enjoyed watching them grow and as he would say of his life, “that was the best part”. He was blessed to have them battle alongside him for this past year, and they were a team. Rick enjoyed watching his kids play sports – any sport; whether it was YBC Bowling Nationals, baseball, school sports or hockey. Rick’s favourite was watching his son play hockey. He and Tyler started out playing mini sticks in their old South Patterson house. You couldn’t enter the hallway as it was a “serious” game time! Rick especially loved seeing Tyler score the winning goal in the televised Royal Bank Cup and hearing Don Cherry speak his name. Too many proud memories to list, but Rick cherished every one of them.

Rick and Brenda celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary by making a trip to Toronto to tour the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame, where Tyler’s gloves, stick, puck, picture and recognition plaque were on display. Rick beamed with pride, seeing this display, a dream come true. Rick’s daughter Tanis was more into ‘80s hair and fashion than her athleticism; Rick was proud of her grit, determination and feisty spirit. Scrappy, even as a young girl, he loved that she stood up for herself, although maybe not so much in her teenage years. Rick admired her talent as a Hairstylist and was proud to see her dedication to her job as a

Cosmetology Teacher. Maybe she inherited her drive from him? He was quite proud when Tanis started finding time to explore her athleticism. He was proud of her accomplishments, whether it be training/competing in Florida, running in Las Vegas, playing ball hockey with her Crown and Anchor Divas or screaming out loud in “Football Mom” mode. Rick cherished the times they, as a family, cheered together from the sidelines. They never missed a game, often even making the road trips! Rick, Tanis and Tyler were eventually able to share in their love of hockey. All cheering on their beloved Oilers…win or lose…especially the times they ‘cheersed’ from the pub in the Mayan Riviera. Tanis loved Ryan Smyth and Rick was proud to be able to get her Ryan’s autograph when he was in Horse Lake watching his younger brothers of the Bentley Generals lose to the Horse Lake Thunder, Ty’s team at that time. The family all shared in some great times cheering hard back in those days!

When Rick became ill, Tanis was running around finding him treats (anything he was craving that day), searching the internet, studying every possible option on how they could make him better. So one day he looked to Brenda and said “Tanis brings me anything I ask for these days…so maybe I should ask her for a new truck!?” Oh, what a funny guy he was. He also liked to joke with hospital staff that he would need to check with his “Doctor, I mean Daughter” before making any decisions. Some Doctor’s didn’t find that quite as funny as Rick did. It was tough when Tyler moved away to Prince George to play in the WHL for the Cougars; it was hard to let him go, yet an exciting time. Rick and Brenda managed to make many cherished road trips to go watch him play, and they even managed to watch the odd game online; that was a feat in itself! When Tyler ended up settling back in Prince George, Rick found it a joy to travel through the Pine Pass to visit, tapping away to his favourite songs on repeat. In most recent years, the trips were to see the grandkids and help cheer on the AAA Major Midget Cougars that Tyler coaches. Tanis and her family often made the trip as well; those are some special memories. Rick was always concerned about Ty missing time with his team to come to see him, which Ty would not have any other way, of course.

Rick was so thankful he and Brenda were able to be an active part of watching Tanis and Dave raise their four children here in Grande Prairie. “Papa and Nana” were their most beloved roles. They attended most of Tristin, Daytin, Dustin or Taytlin’s school concerts, track meets, soccer games, dirt bike races, football games (windy, hot or freezing cold), attending birthday parties, award banquets or graduations. Tanis and Dave were often told by friends and other parents how lucky and blessed they were to have her parents present. Papa was so proud of them all. They each shared their own special bond with him and will forever cherish their memories with Papa; their one and only Papa. Rick was especially proud to share his birthday with Tyler’s firstborn, his granddaughter Kennedy. What a precious gift he would say. He was also proud to have a namesake in his grandson Hudson. Papa and “Huddy” shared many giggles together. They loved to tease. Rick’s biggest regret was knowing that he will miss being present for his grandkid’s future graduations, weddings, accomplishments and possible great-grandchildren. This broke his heart. Near the end of his life, after some deep thought, Rick asked Brenda to “Tell them”, “Tell them I’ll be watching”. Oh Papa, they know you will be.

Rick was blessed with a quick wit, a great sense of humour, he had a charming, handsome smile and if you were blessed to have met him, he would have surely won you over. Once he befriended you, he was your friend for life! Rick loved listening to his country music, tapping his fingers and toes away to the music, even up until the end of his life. So please, when you hear his favourite song “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker, TAP AWAY; he will be tapping right along with you.

Rick will be missed by his wife; children; grandchildren; siblings: Jim (Maxine) Brough of Camrose, AB; Alice (Doug) Spotswood of Kelowna, BC; Marjorie John (Vanvolkingburgh) of Grande Prairie; Dave (Linda) Brough of Hudson Hope, BC; George (Carol) Brough of Boyle, AB; Bruce (Debbie) Brough of Hudson Hope; as well as numerous other family members, cousins, nephews and nieces whom he shared many great times with.

Rick was predeceased by his father Jim Brough; mother Eva Brough; and sister Rosemary (Ted) Lucas.

Family and friends will celebrate Rick’s life when able to all gather together. Guaranteed to be a good time, Rick wouldn’t want it any other way. Notice will be sent out then.

On behalf of Rick and his family, please make any memorial donations to your choice of Youth sport or Minor Hockey.

Brenda, Tanis and Tyler would like to send special thanks to the amazing, caring and exceptional nurses who work at Prairie Lake Hospice. You ladies lessened the pain of the toughest time in our lives. Please know we appreciate you and all you do. You are angels.

• Date : 2021-01-07
• Location : Grande Prairie, Alberta

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