Date of Birth: June 17, 1949
Date of Death: June 9, 2024
Brian “Buzz” Douglas Desjarlais, 74, of Fort Qu’Appelle died Sunday, June 9, 2024 in Saskatoon, SK.
He was born on June 17, 1949 to Louis Desjarlais and Irene (nee Gaddie) Desjarlais in Qu’Appelle, SK.
He was a proud member of Cowessess First Nation. Brian grew up in the Fort. He attended Bert Fox (longer than some) but only to continue playing football. He lived in many places but always considered the Valley his home.
Brian or Buzz, as he was aptly called because of his blistering speed was an exceptional athlete. He excelled in fastball, football, taekwondo, boxing and most of all, powerlifting. He also qualified to compete in the CrossFit Games. Brian was a four-time Canadian Powerlifting Champion, a North American Powerlifting Champion and between 2003 and 2013 he won eight medals at the World Police Fire Games. He also held many world records during his Powerlifting career. Brian was recognized in 2017 for his athletic contributions and inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame.
Brian retired as a firefighter, proudly posing in two Firefighter Calendars. He was awarded a Regina Police Chief Commendations Award for saving a family from a fire alongside his daughter. He was also a hunter, a Duo Lingo champion and the world’s greatest Internet debater. He married his red haired beauty Gloria (nee Ennis) on July 4, 1970 and they had three Neapolitan ice cream looking children, Jason (Strawberry) and twins Angela (Vanilla) and Ryan (Chocolate). In retirement Brian and Gloria moved to Chelem, Mexico where they met many amazing friends that have become family. He was so proud of his “Wolf s House”, which is how it is identified on Google Maps.
Brian is survived by his wife Gloria and children: Jason, Angela (Kevin), Ryan; grandchildren: Jayda (Ryan A), Hannah, Madeline; great-grandchildren: Nyxon, Finley and Luna and siblings Joyce “Fifi”, Connie “Girlie” (Roland) and Clayton “Phidipides” (Louise), and Christie.
He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Irene and beloved brothers, Albert, Ronnie, Gil “Deezee” and Robert “Bubbins” and sister-in-Law Beverly Fay.
Brian’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 13, 2024 in the Fort Building in Fort Qu’Appelle campground at 2 p.m. There will be no visitation or funeral, instead join us for an informal service full of laughs, tears, and sharing of many wonderful stories.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospitals of Regina Foundation Cardiac Care Campaign #225 – 1874 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 4B3 www.hrf.akaraisin.com/ui/HRFDonation/donations/start and/or STARS Air Ambulance, 2640 Airport Road, Regina, SK, S4W 1A6. www.give.stars.ca/page/125748/donate/1.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the entire Regina Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Surveillance Unit, STARS Ambulance and St. Paul’s Intensive Care Unit in Saskatoon.
On behalf of the Desjarlais’, we would like to thank our families and friends (or as Brian would say his fans), from the bottom of our hearts for all the prayers, kind words, meals, hugs, love and support you have given us during this difficult time. Much love!
Online condolences may be made at www.tubmanfh.com
