The University of Western Ontario mourns the loss of Faculty of Health Sciences lecturer Brian A. Innes, who died of a heart attack on July 31 at the age of 57.
Innes was also a distinguished and popular lecturer at Western with a focus on advanced public policy. He earned a Masters of Public Administration from the JF Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and Masters in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier.
Innes’s passion and skill for public policy was always close to his heart, having served as candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada, a senior advisor to federal and provincial cabinet ministers, and a councillor for South Perth. He donated many hours to community service (including the Optimist Club of Downie, the Stratford Garrison Mess – 4th Battalion and local schools). Innes as also an active farmer.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn Barsanti-Innes and his daughters, Brianna and Emily. He will missed by his siblings, Mary Innes (Gary Lawless), Elaine Green (Bill), Robert Innes (Gene Keith), Christine Innes (Tony Ianno).
Faculty of Health Science Acting Dean Kevin Wamsley says Innes friendship, sense of humour, along with “his great stories about Canadian politics, and his passion for public policy and rural health studies” will be greatly missed.
The flag will be at half-mast Thursday, August 6 until 11 a.m. for Innes, who had six years of service at Western.
Visitation services will be held at the W.G. Young Funeral Home (430 Huron Street, Stratford) on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Avonton Presbyterian Church (R.R. 2, St. Paul’s, Ontario) on Thursday at 11 a.m. with reception to follow.
Donations can be made to the “Brian Innes Health Sciences/Rural Studies Award” at University of Western Ontario (online through Foundation Western and indicate in memory of Brian Innes or by cheque to The University of Western Ontario in memory of Brian Innes); or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.