Brian Mackarous (July 11, 1962 – August 29, 2026), a lifelong Montrealer, passed away peacefully at the age of 64.
Brian was immensely proud of his service with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, where he served from 1981 to 1997 and attained the rank of Colour Sergeant. His years with the Guards remained an important part of his identity throughout his life, and the friendships, traditions and sense of service he found there remained with him long after his time in uniform. He received the Canadian Decoration, and in 2026 was deeply honoured to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his service to his country.
Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in 1987 and a Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University in 1994. He went on to devote more than three decades of his life to education, teaching from 1994 until 2025. His final teaching position was at Saint-Lambert International High School, where among his favourite subjects to teach were Secondary I Mathematics and Secondary V Contemporary World History. Over the course of his career, generations of students passed through his classrooms, and teaching remained an important part of his life until his retirement.
Outside the classroom, Brian embraced an active and adventurous life. An avid cyclist, he spent countless hours on his bike and enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of dragon boat racing as a member of a racing team. His adventurous spirit also took him far from home, including two trips to Japan and two climbs of Mount Fuji.
Brian was fiercely independent, strong-willed and determined, with a character that was unmistakably his own. He valued his independence deeply and lived his life on his own terms. He brought that same determination to his years in the military, his career in education and the many interests and adventures he pursued throughout his life.
Brian was predeceased by his parents, Angeline (Habib) Mackarous and John Mackarous. He leaves behind his brother, Philip Mackarous; his sister, Jo-Anne (Mackarous) Roggin; and his nephews, Andrew and James Mackarous, along with extended family, friends, former colleagues and students whose lives he touched over the years.
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the many healthcare professionals who cared for and supported Brian throughout his illness, particularly the teams at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the McGill University Health Center (MUHC), and the Benny Farm CLSC. Their extraordinary compassion, guidance and dedication provided Brian with dignity, comfort and as much independence as his illness would allow, while also providing invaluable support to us throughout an extraordinarily difficult journey. We will always be grateful for the kindness and humanity they showed Brian and our family.
Stories & photographs
Memories of Brian
A place for the moments we carry with us.
Gathering photographs…
Gathering memories…
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David Patocskai
Please accept my condolences - I am very sorry for your loss. I served under Brian in 1985 when he was my section leader (master corporal) in the CGG. Brian was an exceptional leader, mentor and role model who had a lasting impact on me. The trust and confidence Brian demonstrated in a raw (and often confused!)17 year old recruit was instrumental in my development as a future leader and person. To this day, I attribute my fastidiousness in large part to Brian - he made it quite clear from the first day of training that there is a right way and a wrong way to do things in the Guards! Notwithstanding the hardships of basic training, I was motivated to work hard and demonstrate professionalism at all times due to Brian's example and because I didn't want to disappoint him. I later learned in my professional life that these are critical traits of all good leaders and Brian was one of the best I have ever worked with. I have no doubt that Brian was a valued mentor and role model for many others during his illustrious career in the Guards and teaching.
I just learned of Brian's passing yesterday and was unable to attend his memorial service. I regret not having had the chance to tell Brian how much of an impact he had on me. I can only imagine how difficult his loss is for his family. I was privileged to make a donation to the Neuro in Brian's honour.
Sincerely,
Dave Patocskai
Andrew Mackarous
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sylvie archambault
"My deepest condolences to the Mackarous family and friends.
Brian was a truly great friend. His kindness, generosity, and joyful holiday spirit made our friendship entirely unique—a bond I will remember and cherish forever."
Sylvie Archambault
Johan
Brian,
We shared two brief moments in time together, once in Japan and once in Montreal. You showed me great hospitality and warmth in Montreal. You showed me the hidden izakayas in Japan, told fun stories and were an excellent climbing partner on our Mount Fuji ascend. I may not have had long to get to know you, but you were one of those rare few that I just clicked with instantly. I’ll remember you. Rest in peace.
Paul Gendron
My condolences to Brian’s family
Salutations to my brothers from the CGG
Tristan Flammia
He was the greatest thanks for everything
Théo Michael
My condolences to the families of this loved man.
Darren Hunter
My dear cousin was my role model. A man of true honour and class. I will always strive to meet the standards that you have set. Your passing has left me with a profound sense of loss and sadness. What brings me comfort, is that you are longer suffering, and that you will once again be in the arms of your mother and father.
Rest easy my dear cousin, I love you.
Darren
Theresa Aguiar
May the countless memories we shared with Mr. Mac bring us comfort in the days ahead. He was truly one of those rare people whose kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He spent his life lifting others up, offering strength, guidance, and encouragement when it was needed most.
It was an absolute privilege to know him and an honor to call him my friend. I will forever be grateful that my children had the opportunity to meet such an extraordinary man during their academic journey. The lessons, values, and inspiration he shared with them will stay with them for a lifetime.
While our hearts are heavy with his loss, I find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the confidence he instilled, and the kindness he so freely gave. Mr. Mac was truly one of a kind, and he will be deeply missed but never forgotten. We are all better for having known him. ❤️
Theresa Aguiar,Fadi Tawil and family
Cameron Mitchell
Brian,
I will always cherish the summer of 1986 when I was the 2 i/c of our division on the Hill. I consider it a great blessing to have had the opportunity to work with you and become friends over the summer. You taught me many great lessons about leadership I have carried with me and served me well over the rest of my life. I will miss you and try to live up to the high standards you exhibit to us all.
To Brian’s family, I hope the testimonials give some comfort and a sense of what a truly remarkable person Brian is. You have my deepest condolences.
Ameer Hussain
Mr. Mack had a sense of humour that I don't think a lot of his other students got, but I shared it, and we always got along. I may have pushed his buttons as a cynical teenager in the early 2000s at the then-called Chambly Academy, but I never challenged him, as there was always a respect between us. We would get each others' jokes (I managed to make him laugh a few times; not a small accomplishment), he'd understand what I'd mean when I used Star Trek references to explain Economic concepts, and he appreciated that I enjoyed his creative Halloween costumes.
Years later, as a student teacher, I found myself doing an internship at Chambly. His first words to me, with a big smile, were, "What the hell are YOU doing back here?" Were I sharper-witted, I might've been quick enough to fire back with, "What the hell are you STILL doing here?" Which I'm sure he would've enjoyed.
On my last day there, I made a point to speak to him before leaving. I told him he was one of the reasons I'd wanted to be a teacher. That was the only time I'd left him speechless. He offered me no words, but a firm handshake, with tears in his eyes. That made two of us.
Thank you for everything, Mr. Mack.
Hana Shigematsu
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my longtime colleague and friend, Brian. Over the years, we worked closely together, supporting many of the same students, and I witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication he brought to his work. I will always remember the many appreciation letters that spoke to the impact he had as a teacher. I am grateful for the years we worked alongside one another. Brian will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family and to all who knew him.
Jean françois Laforte
I had the privilege of serving with Brian back in 1981-1984. He was the kindest and most professional soldier and comrade. It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that I extend my heart felt condolences to Brian's family,friends and colleagues. You are at peace now. Jfl
Paul Farrell
For Brian…
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Patrick Walsh
Definitely “gone too soon”, Brian. As yet another who served with you in the Canadian Grenadier Guards, I can say with sincerity that you will be missed, along with the many great memories: “good training “, great parades, and of course those machine gun drills (if you know , you know). You were a Guardsman through and through.
We salute you.
My condolences to the Mackarous family .
Emaan Shiba
My heartfelt condolences. Mr Macharous was a truly dedicated teacher who cared deeply about his students and his work. May he rest in peace. 🩶
Brad Clark
I am very saddened to hear of Brian's passing. I had served with Brian at Ceremonial Guard in the early 80's where I got to know him well as I piped the sentries he was in charge of posting at Rideau Hall. He became one the many friends I made at CG those years and made me feel immediately welcome in the CG family in those early days. He was always professional and very reasonable with his people and very amiable. Although I hadn't seen him in subsequent years, I did see him again at a reunion in the early 2000's and he was the same friendly individual I'd come to know all those years ago. I will always remember Brian's love of life and I am very saddened to hear of his passing.
My condolences to Brian's family.
Rod Macdonald
My deepest condolences to Brian's family, friends, and everyone who knew him. I knew Brian when we played on the Dragons Softball team in the late 1990s, along with many friends. I was truly saddened to hear of Brian's passing, as I remember him as a really good guy. Always friendly and supportive, even when our team didn't do so well (which was most of the time). His smile and demeanour always buoyed our spirits and made losing a little less painful. I lost touch with Brian when I moved to Toronto in 2002, but I have always had fond memories of that time. It sounds like Brian lived a life of contribution, which makes sense given who I knew him to be.
John Simpson
To the family,
I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Brian's family. Brian and I went to university together and he was an important member of TKE fraternity. He was a proud member of the Grenadier Guards. Brian was kind and full of life. I will miss my friend very much. Hopefully fond memories will soften the blow of his early sleep.
John Simpson
