Brian Richard Simpson passed peacefully at home with family around him, into Eternal Life on July 15, 2026 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 75 years old. He leaves behind his beloved wife of fifty years, Joanna (Kustermans), his brother Rob (Mirah); sister Sheila (Stan Hughes); his nine children, Krista (Stephen) Huver, Erika (Barry) Hogan, Sarah (Ben) Small, Jacob (Yvonne) Simpson, Theresa (Finbar) Sullivan, Andrew (Nikita) Simpson, Megan (John) Noël, Paul (Rachel) Simpson, Joshua (Shantel) Simpson; and his forty grandchildren, two of whom are due this Fall. He will be mourned by Joanna’s siblings and their spouses, Mary and ✞Martin Minten, Adrian and Cathy Kustermans, Jack and Joanne Kustermans, Annie and Bill Van Straaten, Liz and Laurence McFalls, ✞Pete and Connie Kustermans, Andy and Jenny Kustermans. He was predeceased by his parents, Douglas and Edna, his brother Norm, and his grandson Thomas Simpson. Brian and Joanna were married in 1975 and in 1977 founded what would evolve into Premier Quality Genetics, a hog operation south of Glencoe, which today is operated by their eldest son, Jacob. Brian had an abiding belief in the importance of education. He served for many years on the Elgin Catholic School Board, and was instrumental in the building of St. Joseph’s High School in St. Thomas. Brian was a convert to the Catholic faith, and was particularly devoted to the teachings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, who emphasized the importance of finding God and pursuing holiness in our ordinary daily work and family life. Brian and Joanna helped to begin Family Catechism, which led to the founding of Family Foundations Institute (FFI), whose mission is to strengthen families in the faith and develop relationships. In his later years, one of Brian’s great passion projects was Compassionate Community Care (CCC), a charity which provides support to the vulnerable and their families during times of illness and crisis, while educating health care professionals and the public about end-of-life issues. The care that Brian received from his own palliative care team in the final weeks of his life is what he would desire for everyone. Brian was widely known for his tremendous kindness, his big heart, his readiness to serve others, and his calm confidence in difficult situations. Visitation will be held at Van Heck Funeral Home, 172 Symes Street, Glencoe on Saturday 6-8 p.m., Sunday 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at All Saints Catholic Church 124 Front Street E. Strathroy on Monday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m. Family interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery. Confession available before Mass 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Memorial donations can be made to Family Foundations Institute or Compassionate Community Care.
