Brian Scott Haniford

Brian Haniford aged 82 passed away peacefully on November 8, 2024 at the Drumheller Health Center. He was born February 23, 1942, in Calgary to his parents Fred and Clara Haniford. He is lovingly remembered by his older sister, Beryl along with her spouse and three daughters.

Brian’s family lived in Longview, Alberta where Fred worked in the oil field before moving to Munson in the mid 1950’s to work at the Renfrew Oils Battery located near Horse Thief Canyon. During his childhood, Brian spent many happy hours hiking and exploring in the Badlands. He developed a lifelong passion for geology and paleontology, collecting many rocks and fossils; native plants; and birds while playing in the hills of the Red Deer River Valley. Brian loved to share these passions with everyone.

 He attended school in Munson and Morrin and developed many lifelong friendships. In August 2023, he was happy to attend Morrin’s 100th Centennial where he reunited with many high school friends.

In the 1960s, Brian started his banking career at the Bank of Montreal in Carbon, Alberta. He transferred to several communities with his banking career. Later, in the 1970s, Brian started his career in the petroleum industry and enjoyed an interesting career as a production accountant until he retired in 2000.

Brian loved many outdoor activities in his spare time. He loved skiing in Canada, the US and in Europe, hiking in the badlands and in the mountains, gardening, traveling to many destinations which included Bryce Canyon, Utah, and the Grand Canyon, fishing in the Highwood with his childhood friend, Murray Feddema (they met in their one room school in Longview), golfing, curling, birdwatching, and amateur photography. He also loved to go bowling, play billiards, play poker and plan his personal investments. Brian loved cats. He happily shared his home with several cat companions over the years.

Brian also loved pennies. He had bags of pennies hidden everywhere! Brian loved to give away pennies to everyone. Why? Because he did not want anyone to die penniless. His dialysis nurses treasure all the pennies Brian gave them. They have pennies (all dated 1977) in their pockets and in secret places in the dialysis clinic, in fond memory of Brian.

During his retirement he lived in Torrington and Coronation before he happily returned to Drumheller where he enjoyed the seniors at the Pioneer Trail Centre, local community activities and explored the community and hills of his youth.

Brian was close to his cousin, Joe (Alice) Campbell and their three children who always called their cousin, Brian “Uncle Brian”; Amoreena Campbell (Richard and their daughter, Claudia), Shauna (Jeremy) Burkhardt, Tommy (Samantha and their son, Joey) Campbell. They all have fond memories of Brian from their childhood, and they stayed in touch with their “Uncle” Brian into their adult life. They continued to have long phone conversations just because they loved Brian. Brian was simply one of a kind and he was loved for being himself.

Brian leaves behind his cats, Darling and Spring who he loved dearly. Thanks to the Cochrane Humane Society, Spring and Darling were adopted by loving families.

Brian’s family and friends would like to thank Dr. Mashood, all the dialysis nurses, the acute care nurses, and the long-term care nurses for the compassionate care they gave Brian. They also wish to express gratitude to the kitchen, housekeeping and maintenance staff for their kind services.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to help cats to any agency that helps cats.

A Memorial-Celebration of Life will be held May 17, 2025, in Drumheller. The time and place will be posted later.