It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Brian Ouellette at the Saint John Regional Hospital onFriday, December 9th, 2005 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Saint John, NB, he was the son of the late Armand and Mary (McGovern) Ouellette and the husband of Anne (Lirette) Ouellette.
Brian was a faithful husband, proud and loving father and a kind and gentle man. He was a man of great spirit, wisdom, faith and love. His dedication and devoted love to his family and community went above and beyond the call of duty.
Brian was a highly regarded member of the St. Thomas University Community having been a professor in the Department of Social Work since 1984. Over his years at St. Thomas Brian developed a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional teacher and tireless worker on behalf of the students and the University he loved. His expertise and contributions led to him being awarded both the Outstanding Teaching Award and St. Thomas University Faculty Merit Award. Brian had served in many capacities at St. Thomas University including - Chair of the Department of Social Work as well as Chairing or serving on numerous University committees. Beyond St. Thomas Brian’s professional and academic responsibilities included presentations at numerous national and international conferences and local workshops which he facilitated on various issues related to social work practice. Brian was noted, in particular, for his work in the area AIDS/HIV,counseling, crisis intervention, and spirituality. Brian developed the first course on Spirituality and Social Work in Canada, and was a Co-founder of, and played a central role in, the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work including planning five national conferences. In 2005 Brian was Editor of the Canadian Social Work Journal and had served on its Editorial Board for many years. In addition Brian served as a peer reviewer for many scholarly journals, Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, and the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR). He was an active member of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), and was a recipient of the CASW Social Worker of the Year Award. In our community Brian contributed in many, many areas. For example, He was a long-time Catechist at Holy Family Parish, served as Interchange Coordinator for Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV), and served on the Advisory Board of the Fredericton Community Health Clinic.
Survived by his wife, Anne; three sons, Denis (Dawn) in Calgary, AB, Phillippe in Ottawa and Eric at Mount Allison, Sackville; one daughter, Rachel Ouellette at Memorial University, NL; one brother, Don Ouellette of Fredericton, NB. He was predeceased by his parents; and stepmother, Theresa. Visitation will be held at the McAdam’s Select Community Funeral Home 160 York Street, Fredericton, on Monday, December 12th, 2005 from 7-9 pm and Tuesday, December 13th, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 14th, 2005 at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church at 12:00 noon. Rev. J.J. Dolan as Celebrant.
Interment will be in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial tributes may be made to the Brian Ouellette Memorial Award Fund through St.Thomas University, The Office of University Advancement (achieve@stu.ca).