Son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs and Miami Dolphins fan. Born Jan. 25, 1989, in Mississauga. Died Dec. 12 in Barrie, Ont., in a house fire, aged 21.
Bryan Armstrong was the middle child of Robert and Shirley Armstrong, but his role in the family was big brother to Allan, who has Down syndrome, and Carolyn, the youngest by almost two years.
Bryan grew up in the country in a large farming family in Caledon, Ont. From the time he could walk, he spent most of his free time at the farm with his siblings, cousins, grandfather, father and uncles. The farm was the centre of all fun activities. Bryan was an accomplished soccer player, hockey goalie and an avid player of video games and war strategy board games.
In 2004, Robert passed away from cancer and Bryan stepped into the role of man of the house. His relationship with his sister strengthened. He was her very best friend. Earlier this month, both of them were busy studying for exams, but Bryan took the time to make a batch of brownies and take it over to Carolyn's residence on the morning of her birthday so they could spend some time together on her special day.
Bryan studied business in the co-op program at Georgian College in Barrie, Ont. For one of his semesters he worked on the family farm. His two uncles hoped he would come back to the farm after his studies, but they didn't sugarcoat the work involved. They gave him a management position, wanting him to know what managing a farm was really like, working long days with one day off every other weekend. They wanted Bryan to appreciate what his father had accomplished when he had returned to the farm at 21 and had become a partner. Bryan didn't mind the work, but he said he was too young to give up his weekends. He made it clear he wanted to make his living another way.
Bryan graduated from college this year, then decided to earn a degree in business from Laurentian University in Barrie. He found it difficult but he never took his sights off earning his degree. He was happy; he was finding his way.
On Dec. 11, Bryan decided to stay home and study for exams instead of going out to celebrate Carolyn's 20th birthday. Taking a break from studying, he stayed up to play video games and chat with friends online. The last known time he was online was around 4 a.m. By 6 a.m., Bryan had died in his bedroom, asphyxiating in a house fire that had started in the kitchen. Somehow the stove was still on although all the dials were turned to off. None of his roommates were home.
Friends and family are devastated at the tragic loss of such a vibrant young man. His Facebook page is filled with tributes, and friends and family have changed their profile pictures to ones with him in it. What an amazing tribute to a young man who touched so many lives in such a short time.
By Deb Armstrong, Bryan's aunt.