Brian “Blues” Chapman

Apr 29, 1942 - Jun 23, 2025

You are fortunate if you may have met someone like Blues in your lifetime.

Brian Chapman, Blues, to his friends, died on June 23rd, 2025 of heart failure at Bruyère Health Saint Vincent Hospital, in Ottawa. Blues was born in Amherstburg in southwestern Ontario in 1942. He attended Staff College at Kingston where he was introduced to graphic arts, this experience contributed to making him an accomplished artist.

In the Yorkville of the 60’s he became a leader and an activist assisting young people in trouble where he had a positive impact on his community. He furthered his social and community involvement helping young people and disadvantaged groups at the community levels. He then worked for both provincial and federal governments, in Vancouver (his favourite place in the world), Toronto and Ottawa. Later on Blues worked more and more on Aboriginal issues making important contributions to programming designed for and controlled by Aboriginal people.

In Vancouver, on a blind date (thanks to Lonnie) Blues met his partner and the love of his life, Louise who was with him until the end. Blues was an artist, a writer, a storyteller. He was a loving partner, a friend and an uncle, inspiring friends and former colleagues. A post capturing his journey through his life with can be found at: https//:chagal14.com/

Finally, but importantly, Blues was a cool guy who had an aura about him, erudite, calm and stylish. His life story was a saga, an oral novel that we never tired of. We were happy and proud to be his audience and characters. His telling was witty and fascinating, full of digressions, like life itself. Laughter was never far.

A heartfelt thank you to Staff at the Ottawa Heart Institute and Bruyère Health Saint Vincent Hospital who was outstanding at all levels and accompanied and comforted Blues in the final chapter of his life.

No service will be held but a Ceremony of life will held later in September.

Thank you for your donation to the Bruyere Foundation or The Ottawa Heart Institute.

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3 Comments

Amanda James July 4, 2025 at 6:24 pm - Reply

My deepest sympathies to Louise and Brian’s extended family.

Blues was one of a kind. I had the pleasure of working with him early in my career as a public servant. He taught me not to take life too seriously but to give it my all when it mattered most. We bonded over our shared Amherstburg connection. I was a happy member of his captive audience at work and the occasional long lunch. I’m so glad we were able to reconnect in the last few months and I was able to make him laugh by edging in a story or two of my own.

I’m lucky that some of Brian’s art graces my walls and looking at it will always make me fondly remember him.

Amanda James
(Aka the Bad Amanda)
Amanda James July 4, 2025 at 6:01 pm - Reply

My deepest sympathies to Louise and Brian’s extended family.

Blues was one of a kind. He befriended me in my early days in the public service and taught me not to take life too seriously but at the same time to give it your all when it mattered most. We enjoyed sharing our Amherstburg connection. I had the pleasure of being one of his captive audience members in the few years we worked together but more importantly in the last few months. We shared a lovely lunch in April and I was so happy we were able reconnect. I was able to make him laugh when I edged in a story or two of my own.

I’m thankful that some of Brian’s artwork graces my walls and this one in particular will always remind me of his wisdom

Amanda James (aka the Bad Amanda)
Daniela DiBartolo July 4, 2025 at 5:49 pm - Reply

Louise I am so sorry for the passing of Brian.
It’s difficult to think of this world without him.
He was a wonderful mentor who always reminded me to keep calm and to remember that all stressful times will pass.
Those of us at HRDC at the time were truly priviledged to have known Brian as a colleague and friend.

All Memories

Amanda James

My deepest sympathies to Louise and Brian’s extended family. Blues was one of a kind. I had the pleasure of working with him early in my career as a public servant. He taught me not to take life too seriously but to give it my all when it mattered most. We bonded over our shared Amherstburg connection. I was a happy member of his captive audience at work and the occasional long lunch. I’m so glad we were able to reconnect in the last few months and I was able to make him laugh by edging in a story or two of my own. I’m lucky that some of Brian’s art graces my walls and looking at it will always make me fondly remember him. Amanda James (Aka the Bad Amanda)

+ Reply

Amanda James

My deepest sympathies to Louise and Brian’s extended family. Blues was one of a kind. He befriended me in my early days in the public service and taught me not to take life too seriously but at the same time to give it your all when it mattered most. We enjoyed sharing our Amherstburg connection. I had the pleasure of being one of his captive audience members in the few years we worked together but more importantly in the last few months. We shared a lovely lunch in April and I was so happy we were able reconnect. I was able to make him laugh when I edged in a story or two of my own. I’m thankful that some of Brian’s artwork graces my walls and this one in particular will always remind me of his wisdom Amanda James (aka the Bad Amanda)

+ Reply

Daniela DiBartolo

Louise I am so sorry for the passing of Brian. It’s difficult to think of this world without him. He was a wonderful mentor who always reminded me to keep calm and to remember that all stressful times will pass. Those of us at HRDC at the time were truly priviledged to have known Brian as a colleague and friend.

+ Reply