Obituary

In his 80th year, Wayne Autry Brears passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Medicine Hat on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Wayne was born on April 18, 1943, to parents, James Brears and Ruth Brears (nee Cowan) and grew up on the family farm. After a variety of jobs, he worked at Campbell’s  Soup for 35 years after which he retired. After the passing of his dear wife, Donna Brears (nee Martin) in 2003, Wayne moved in with  family and moved to Alberta. He was passionate about sports, especially baseball and rarely missed tuning into his favourite teams or going to local sporting events. Wayne loved bowling with family and friends and spending time with family making memories. Wayne was the loving father of Jim Brears; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Brears (nee Goossen) and Ruth Groom (nee Brears) and dear Grandpa to Trevor Brears, Ryan Brears and  Amy  Kavanagh, Shane Groom and Jaida Groom. Wayne was predeceased  by his wife, Donna Brears; son, Tom Brears; parents, James and Ruth Brears; siblings, Geraldine Noble, Bev Brears, Larry Brears as well as Harold Brears in infancy. A private family celebration of Wayne’s Life was held on Saturday, April 20, 2024. He will be laid to rest alongside his wife Donna at the Harriston Cremation Garden at a later date. Memorial donations in Wayne’s memory may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 119 – 14 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1Z6 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Road N.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com). Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone toll free: 1-877-528-6455.