Our beloved George Henry Briand of Halifax passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Victoria General Hospital Palliative Care Unit.

Born in West L’Ardoise, Richmond County, on November 6, 1939, George was the eldest of eleven children born to the late John Felix Briand and Kathleen Lillian Briand (Riley).

George is survived by his cherished family who miss him dearly. His loving partner, Gail Harding; his daughters, Rhonda Pinkney and Lori Lynn Briand, and their mother, Rose Briand (Gallant); his grandchildren, Alicia Williams, Kayley Pinkney, and Brooklyn Field; and his great-grandchildren; Ayla, Carley, Benson, and Grayden Williams, and Esme and Reese Winton.

He is also survived by his siblings, Ann Martell, Bernadette Boutilier, Diane MacKinnon, Xavier Briand, Bernie Briand, Denise Godwin, and Wanda Smith, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family. Besides his parents, George was predeceased by his brothers, Robert, Phillip, and Donald Briand.

George proudly served in the Canadian Army with the 8th Canadian Hussars and the Canadian Dragoons, serving both in Canada and Continental Europe. He was a member of the Canadian Legion, Calais Branch, and was honourably discharged following an accidental gunshot injury while serving in Germany.

Throughout his working life, George was deeply involved in the Halifax waterfront community. He served as a Director on the Halifax/Dartmouth Port Development Committee and was also a member of the Provincial Manpower Board. During his 40-year career with the Halifax Longshoremen’s Association (ILA Local 269), he held positions as President and Vice-President of the Halifax Port Corporation and served on numerous other union committees before retiring in 2005.

In his younger years, George enjoyed playing hockey and slow-pitch with his buddies in Lower Sackville. Prior to his illness, George walked about 10 kilometres each day (rain or shine) and loved stopping to chat with everyone along the way. His many friends and acquaintances will miss those conversations as much as his family will.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses of 5B and 7A for their compassionate care, and especially to his good friend, George Forsyth, who spent countless hours by his side and cared for him so generously during his time in hospital.

In keeping with George’s wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists. A burial will take place at a later date in L’Ardoise, Cape Breton. There will be no service.

“Forever loved, forever remembered, forever missed”