Bryan Malcolm was born in Walkerton on Tuesday, January 21, 1947, to Irene Elizabeth (Rowand) and Roy Merrill Vallie. The forecast for that day was snow and a lot of it. It snowed and snowed…many feet…the snow storm of the century. Roy followed a plow into town, and Bryan was born. From the tough start to life…diagnosed with Perthes disease at 9 (the boy who rural neighbours thought would never walk again) to the decades of health struggles to follow. Yet, Bryan never complained.

He was the eldest of five children: Bryan, Donna, Mary Ann, Norma, and Charles “Charlie”. The Vallie family resided in Walkerton, where Bryan later attended Todds School (S.S. #2) before graduating from Walkerton District Secondary School.

In 1966, at the age of 19, Bryan was fortunate enough to be hired on at Ontario Hydro in Walkerton as a linesman. Over the next 33 years, he helped keep the lights on throughout Bruce and Grey counties, all the while enjoying spending time with his co-workers. In 1999, Bryan was offered early retirement and jumped at the opportunity to enjoy more free time.

In 1970, Bryan attended the wedding of Elroy and Mary Ann (Alles) Pletsch. He later found out it was a bit of a setup from his friends, as they wanted to introduce him to Linda Lee Elizabeth Schoeck. As fate would have it, they were a match, and the two soon began dating before marrying at St. Matthew’s Lutheran in Hanover on Friday, May 21, 1971. Bryan and Linda settled in Hanover and welcomed their daughter Lori later that year, with Janine joining them in 1973 and Evan in 1976.

Lori shares memories told of their Mom and Dad’s first date…..“Dad picked up Mom, and they drove to Listowel to pick up Dad’s first new vehicle, a red Dodge Coronet R/T with a black top.

With his sweetheart in the passenger seat and the smell of new leather….they headed to the beach with a smile on his face and to catch the sunset. Ten minutes down the road, the wiper motor caught fire and filled the cab with smoke… back to the dealership they went. Since it was a Saturday and the dealership was closing, the Coronet had to stay at the lot until Monday to buy the new part. The owner felt so bad, he gave Dad his own car to drive for the weekend, a brand new, fully loaded white Caddy. Dad thought…wow, what a beautiful car and gesture. But what he was really worried about was that Linda might like this car better because it was a bit out of his price range. Monday came around, the Coronet was fixed, and Mom and Dad hit the road to start their life adventures together. That was Bryan’s first and only new vehicle.

Later on down the road, the love of Suburbans flourished. From the blue boat or Bessy, as mom so fondly referred to her, to the newer taupe colored “BURB” with the JUS4 BY license plate, a birthday present from his kids.”

Lori continues, “Driving through town, friends on the street would get a friendly wave or a tap on the horn as Bryan would always greet you with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye. Bryan was more than likely heading to Canadian Tire to buy the newest and greatest tool. You can never have too many tools…if you needed something to finish a job around the house, Dad had you covered. He usually liked supervising the work to make sure it was done right.

But mostly that Suburban was heading home as fast as it could to spend time with his wife and kids. Dinner times were 2 hours long, telling stories and listening to everyone’s day.

Indeed, Bryan enjoyed spending time with the kids and together built a great relationship. He instilled in them a good work ethic and encouraged them to be kind to others. In Lori and Janine’s case, he taught them a variety of skills that enabled them to take care of themselves and become independent. In Evan’s case, they spent more time outdoors, particularly fishing – but more on that later. Bryan also liked to volunteer and was active in the Hanover Lions Club, as well as the Walkerton Legion.

In 1984, the Vallies set out on a month-long trip to see the West Coast. This was a memorable trip for the entire family – and their neighbours, the Dallys. Both families travelled west this summer, with the Dallys getting a week’s head start. Just imagine pulling off the Trans Canada Highway in Pense, Saskatchewan, and seeing your neighbours there too – really!

And their paths crossed again in Jasper – crazy! Charlie and Carol flew to Calgary to experience the Stampede with Bryan and his family, before continuing all the way to Vancouver Island. I am told that everyone had their fair share of cheese sandwiches on the trip!

Most of Bryan’s other adventures included a fishing rod. He introduced Evan to the sport and loved the opportunity to get out on open water in a boat. For twenty-plus years, he travelled to northern Quebec for a week each year to fish. Many memories and stories were made during these adventures.

Evan’s memories of Smith Bay Camp. “As the early morning fog rolls back into Cohiba alley, air filled with aromas of exotic coffees with the hint of Coconut Rum (Sweetener), the Pro Anglers plan the day.

Dad’s plan today was lakers!!! Calling for wind today, “he says” looks like laker chop! better grab an extra chunk of steel and some more rope for the anchor. Down to the bait shack for the herring and fresh worms, but when I say herring, picture something most would be happy to catch. (Believe the idea was if we don’t catch anything all week we’d eat the bait)!!!

Two strokes warmed the Fleet cruises past the Rock Face, looking for that 90ft mark, blinded by the sun from Big Fish Bay.  Maneuvering our vessel and anchors down, we stayed close enough to send banter from boat to boat.

Hours of laughs passed, and no action, Dad at some point figured I’d better lighten up the gear!!

With 6 poles to pick from, he decided the 5ft ultra light with 6lb test was the weapon of choice to fool an old dinosaur up from the depths (His Walleye Pole) Haha….

Remembering the Herring, you’d wonder how he managed to toss that bait. Well, it was with an open bail and his bare hand.

As the sun moves low in the sky, sore backs and a hunger for potatoes set in Dad feels a tap on the line!!! He leans into a hook set with a whip and an arched back; we were sure he would only reel in a set of lips… The fight was on.

With no progress in the battle, rumours spread, a stump maybe? Lake Kipawa grips her secrets, but Dad’s will to fight begins to gain ground. The fight lasted almost 2 hours, and we all saw that this was no stump but the dinosaur, the King of the Lake.

Back to the Dock, a proud son and even more exuberant Father were engulfed by paparazzi to be the first on the story.

A New king was crowned that day, even though he was always that to me!!! Love you always, Dad. Meet you at the Blue Barrel. Signed Best Friend.”

For sure, Bryan had a lure for every occasion, and one might even suggest he was a collector… Ask Linda how many times Bryan said, “Well, I guess it is time for another tackle box…” – and not because he had worn the old one out, but instead because he had amassed too many treasures! If not lures, he was known to collect hydro insulators as well – just ask his family.

It wasn’t just fishing that Bryan enjoyed. Janine shares that there are many childhood memories of time spent at Woodland Park Campground, where many adventures were had as a family, going to the beach, and sitting by a campfire, telling stories. This is where the love of campfires took hold of us all.  Most summers were spent there, and they relished watching a good storm come in while sitting in a metal chair. Something we all still enjoy. She remembers her Dad and Mom holding hands on their nightly walks around the park, wearing their matching blue hoodies.

At home, Bryan loved spending time outdoors in his garden. He could be planting, weeding, or tilling, but you name it, and he did it! He was also proud of his rose gardens, which lined the side of their home. Bryan loved caring for animals, particularly birds. He had countless bird feeders in his backyard, which required constant attention. Every bird that passed through the Hanover area surely experienced the Vallie backyard! Once again, Janine shares, “Dad’s love of birds was out of this world. Never have you seen so many bird feeders in one backyard. This became a full-time job for Dad, filling the feeders daily,  going through 100s of lbs of seed per season. Another battle was to keep the squirrels away from the feeders as well.”

Bryan enjoyed his pets too, with a variety of dogs, cats, a hamster, and even a ten plus year old rabbit – Daisy calling the Vallie residence home. Bryan always enjoyed Christmas like a big kid. He loved putting up candy cane lights and trying to keep the rabbits from chewing the wires. Over the years, Dad accumulated quite a collection of OrnaMotion moving figures that he took great pride in.

Janine further shares, “As kids, we loved going to his parents’ farm and heading back to the woods to chop and stack wood for our family home. We would have gone anywhere with Dad just to spend time with him.” She continues, “Dad’s passion for woodworking came at a later age, and was all self-taught. His famous words measure twice, cut once, after an expensive piece of wood was cut wrong… As his kids, we were able to enjoy his hobby with gifts of tables, a hope chest, and his infamous cutting boards. You were somebody important to Dad if you got one of these. Evan had the opportunity to build a full bedroom set and side tables with Dad….”

Bryan liked to be informed, especially on worldly news, so it should be no surprise that CP24 was a go-to. As well, he read any newspaper he could get his hands on, with the Toronto Star, KW Record, and Owen Sound Sun Times being his go-tos! During his youth, Bryan was a Habs fan, but thankfully, he came to his senses and switched sides to the Maple Leafs! He also enjoyed baseball, both watching and playing it! In his younger years, he was a member of the Hydro Polecats.

Although Bryan was known to keep to himself, if you got to know him, the floodgates opened. He enjoyed catching up on the phone and rarely missed coffee time with the clan at McDonalds every afternoon. He was a patient, kind-hearted man who was always looking out for others.

In the last couple of years, Bryan faced his own health struggles, but with the support of Linda and his family and friends, he tried to make the best of each day. Sadly, in recent weeks, his condition declined further, and Bryan passed away at the Hanover & District Hospital on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in his 79^th year.

Beloved husband of Linda (Schoeck). Loving father of Lori Vallie, Janine Vallie, both of Waterloo, and Evan Vallie of Hanover. Cherished grandfather of Connor, Casey, and Sofia. Bryan will be dearly missed by his siblings, Donna (Ray) Voisin of Waterloo, Mary Ann Barrett of London, Norma Martin of Walkerton, and Charlie (Carol) Vallie of Crawford. He will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews, as well as the entire Schoeck family. Bryan was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Irene (Rowand) Vallie, and brother-in-law Ray Martin.

Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley, on Tuesday from 5 – 8 p.m., where a funeral service honouring Bryan’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. A private interment will be held at the Hanover Cemetery on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Bruce Trail Conservancy would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.