The Brett family mourns the peaceful passing of Guilford Harold Brett at the age of 91 (1930 – 2022) on February 25th, 2022 in Vancouver, BC. Born in Trail, BC in 1930 to parents Charles Brett (1877 – 1941) and Amy Brett (1894 - 1977), Guilford was predeceased by brother Fred Brett (1928 – 2017) and first wife Cynthia Howe Brett (1929 – 2020). He is survived by his loving partner Audrey Jefferson, his brother Fred’s wife Panda, his daughter Leanora Brett (Bruce), sons David (Lorraine) and Daniel (Sheila), grandchildren Joel, Jordan, Kristian (Renee), Daphne & Darcy, & great grandsons Theodore & George. He was much beloved by the extended Jefferson family.
Raised in Nelson BC, “Guil” Brett excelled in sports & music. As a standout hockey player, he played for the Trail Junior Smoke Eaters and was scouted by the New York Rangers. A talented signer and pianist, he left his hometown to attend the University of Washington where he earned a BA majoring in music, studying voice, and then a B.Ed. While in Seattle, Guil met and married Cynthia Howe of Rhode Island (1929 – 2020), later settling in Vancouver where they raised their three children Lea, Dave & Dan.
In the early 1960s, Guilford was Director of Music at Sir Charles Tupper High School in Vancouver. In 1965, Guil left the teaching profession to become involved full-time in the mining industry, a true passion that he would spend the rest of his life pursuing. Starting out as a prospector with his brother Fred in the 1950’s, Guil traversed mountains & valleys across BC, staking thousands of mineral claims and raising tens of millions of dollars to explore and develop mineral properties. Guil eventually formed Cusac Gold Mines Ltd. in 1965, a gold explorer and producer he ran until 2008. Guil started many other junior mining ventures exploring properties across Canada, the US and South America. A self-taught geologist, Guil was a respected explorationist in Canada with a dogged persistence and love for the thrill of discovery. He never retired, remaining a board member of a public mining company until his passing.
Guilford’s life was marked by a spirit of adventure and fearless entrepreneurial drive, which also drew his interest to a number of innovative technology ventures. An avid boater, Guil enjoyed fishing and BC’s amazing coastal waters. Above all, Guilford Brett, an exceptional tenor, enjoyed singing. He conducted and performed in various choirs, and always gathered family and friends around the piano, passing his gift of music on to the next generation.
Guil Brett touched many lives with his passion for life and he will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held Saturday March 19th, 2022 at 12 Noon at the Arbutus Club in Vancouver followed by a reception. Please RSVP to Leanora Brett via email: lea@pacificbayminerals.com or by phone at 604-500-7984.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Salvation Army (Donate – The Salvation Army in Canada)