Brian McIvor

Brian McIvor Sr.
November 5, 1942 – September 21, 2026

Brian McIvor Sr., Aanjigiizhigo inini (Changing Day Man), passed away peacefully with family by his side on September 21, 2026, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre after his courageous battle with cancer. He was born on November 5, 1942, to Mary Garneau and Roger Harrison Sr.

Brian is survived by the love of his life of 63 years, Kathy, as well as his children Brian Jr. (Sonny) and his wife Peggy, Cheryl and her husband Stephen, and Laurie and her life partner Ron. He is also survived by his grandchildren Aly, Dylan, Jaxon, Josiah, Jada, Cade, Emma, and Sheldon, who he took under his wing as his “bonus grandson” for 17 years, as well as his siblings Roger Harrison Jr., Richard McIvor Sr., Gerald McIvor, Albert (Joe) McIvor, Jon Harrison, Patricia Fugate, and Yvonne Salvador.

Waiting to meet him in the spirit world are his parents Mary and Roger Sr., his stepdad Albert “Obit” McIvor, his brother Richard Harrison, his son-in-law Steve Spalding, and his grandson Matthew Spalding. He also spoke fondly of his friends who have already made their journey - Paul, Dorothy, Puckena, and Shooma - who will be waiting happily for him so they can pick up making happy memories again on the land.

Brian was a hard worker all his life, working for “the company” since his teen years. He operated heavy equipment and supervised different areas of forestry operations in Northwestern Ontario since the 1960s up until 2025. He instilled the concept of hard work into all of his children and grandchildren, telling us kindly but firmly that if we wanted something we had to work to get it.

Aside from family and friends, one of his biggest passions was being on the land - he not only worked out there all his life but spent a lot of his free time in nature hunting, fishing, trapping, blueberry picking, and even just driving around down back roads and sharing stories of all his adventures. Some of his favourite memories to talk about was his many adventures with his buddy, Ron Boomhower. He loved getting to know people, asking about their life stories, and enjoyed cracking jokes and seeing everyone in happy moods. Laughter was his medicine. When at home, he often watched sports, especially hockey, game shows, and old Western movies, and always loved cutting the grass. He also spent many years jamming with his McIvor brothers and cousins on stage at different events, playing the bass guitar while Joe was on the drums, with both Richard and Gerald often on the mic and playing the guitar as well.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff at TBRHSC for their care during his stay, namely Abby Z., Britt K., Sarah L., Faith, Bibitha, Raodot, Payton, Favour, Isabelle, Rylie, Chris, Chidera, Robyn, Kyra, Vanessa, and Laura L., as well as his doctor, Dr. Joanne Fry, at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre who always showed compassion and love for her patients.

Wake services will begin on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 2:00pm at the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Conference Centre, with the funeral service taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00am with elder Ralph Johnson officiating and pall bearers Sonny, Stephen, Dylan, Sheldon, Ron, and Tyson W.

Brian, the legacy you leave is a strong family, disciplined work ethic, and the compassion you showed for all people and animals. We will honour you in all things we do moving forward. Until we meet again.