It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Brent Edward Rivers on September 28, 2026, at the Dryden Regional Health Centre, at the age of 78, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Brent passed peacefully, surrounded by family and looking forward to being reunited with the love of his life, Butsie.
Brent was born and raised in Dryden, Ontario, and spent most of his life there. In his final days, he was visited by family and friends who loved him, sharing memories of the time they had spent together, the adventures they had shared, the lessons he had taught them, and the countless projects he built over a long and distinguished career.
Brent was a master carpenter in every sense of the word. Extremely hard-working and proud of his trade, he was known for the quality of his craftsmanship and for finding skillful, practical solutions to complex problems. His work stands in many large projects across Winnipeg, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, where his granddaughters Mara and Aviva now dance, as well as the Dryden Pool and Recreation Centre and many, many homes and businesses throughout Northwestern Ontario. His standards live on in everyone he taught along the way.
Brent loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was extremely proud of the hard-working, kind-hearted, and free-spirited people they were becoming.
On the rare occasions he took time off, Brent enjoyed fishing, playing cards, or driving the back roads of Northwestern Ontario. He and Butsie loved to travel, and Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii held special places in their hearts.
Brent was predeceased by his father, Ralph Rivers; his mother, Eva Rivers (née McQueen); and his beloved wife, Butsie (Laureen) Rivers (née Besselt).
He is survived by his son, Christopher (Kara) and their daughters Mara and Aviva; his daughter, Catherine Woods (Don), Dylan (Brook), and Miah (Chance) and their daughters Nora and Ivy; his brother, Randy (Susan), their son Matthew, and their daughter Maureen (Nathan) and their daughter Scarlett; and his faithful companion, his cat Buddy.
A special thank you to Don and Anthony for everything.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Dryden Regional Health Centre and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for the care and compassion they showed Brent.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 12- 4 p.m. at the Dryden Legion. Friends and family are welcome to come and go as they please.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brent’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, PO BOX 4613, Stn E, Ottawa, ON K1S 1P7, the ALS Society of Canada, 180 Bloor St. W, Suite 500, Toronto, ON M5S 2V6, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 2300 Yonge St. Suite 1200, Box 2414, Toronto, ON M4P 1E4
Leave a Condolence