Brian Chas. Canney

Brian Chas Canney lived his life rich in experiences. No matter where Brian went, he was always having a good time and would run into someone he knew, whether in a grocery store or a remote airport. He was a friend to many and enjoyed being out and about.

Brian was born June 1, 1952, in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was the oldest of seven children (Brian, Ann, Terry, Scott, Sean, Kevin, and Mary Jane). Their parents were Lewis and Wanda Canney. Brian attended St. Philip Catholic School in Battle Creek through 8th grade. The Canney family moved to Mundelein, Illinois where he then completed 3 years at Carmel High School. The summer before his senior year, the Canney’s moved to the Kalamazoo area where Brian attended Hackett Catholic Central. He made several lifelong friends before graduating in 1970. After attending one year at Western Michigan University, he and a school buddy took to the open road and ended up in California where Brian lived and worked for a year.

He then returned to Kalamazoo to work in the family business, Canney’s Culligan (now Canney’s Water Conditioning) where he enjoyed a decades long career as an award-winning salesman.

One spring day in 1981, Brian met his future wife, Patrice Shinabery, at the Cork St. Laundromat. They became inseparable and married that same year in November. Over the next few years, they welcomed their daughters, Megan and Kristen, to their family.

As Megan and Kristen were growing up, Brian supported and encouraged their interests and endeavors. As a family man, he wanted Patrice and the girls to enjoy many of his own interests. This led to frequent bike rides around Austin Lake where they resided for a period of time. Additionally, pontoon and speedboat rides, waterskiing, and tubing were regular activities. To their dismay, Brian taught the girls the importance of having a clean boat, inside and out.

During the winter months, the family became snow skiers/snowboarders and would enjoy season passes to the local ski resorts, as well as, take the occasional trip out West to the mountains and to “Up North” Michigan.

As a couple, Brian and Patrice enjoyed nights out playing Euchre with friends. Each also belonged to golf leagues and often played together on local courses. Additionally, Brian was an accomplished pool player. He started and managed the Kalamazoo 8-Ball League. He and his team won many local competitions and even qualified for a national tournament that was held in Las Vegas. During this era, a full-size pool table was the centerpiece at home, complete with custom pool cues.

Brian was an avid reader and had a complete library of thriller and sci-fi novels. He also had a talent for photography. He was a person who felt at home anywhere. He was just as content parking himself on a bench to people watch in Saugatuck, as attending shows locally at Miller Auditorium or strolling the Kalamazoo Art Hop with friends. Some of his favorite times were just being out and about with his Boxer dog, Duncan. You could often find Brian at the Craftsman or Brewsters sipping a Dewars and water.

As their daughters grew older, Brian had the honor of walking each daughter down the aisle on their wedding days. The Canney family had expanded to include son-in-law’s, John Noble and Jacob Van Order and in the years following, welcomed 5 grandchildren.

Lake Michigan became the go-to place for summer fun. Their Wellcraft cruiser, “Riff Raft”, was first docked in South Haven then later moved down the coast to St. Joseph. Brian’s dream boat, the Sea Ray 390, became a reality in 2016. Many good times with family and friends were had while watching boats float down the river or sharing stories and laughter at the marina. Even in winter months, Brian and Patrice would travel to warmer climates and the trip wasn’t complete until they drove around marinas to check out the boats.

Though Brian endured many health issues throughout his life, he always seemed to bounce back. Illness over the past few years took its toll and the recoveries were not as complete.

As we celebrate his life, may we find much comfort in our fondest memories of Brian, a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Brian Canney, of Portage, age 72, died on October 25, 2024. Brian was preceded in death by his parents; Lewis Charles and Wanda June (Plotner) Canney: siblings: Ann DeVisser, Terry Canney, Scott Canney, and Sean Canney. Surviving is his wife, Patrice; children: Megan (Jacob) Van Order and Kristen (John) Noble; grandchildren: Caleb Noble, Amelia Noble, Adam Noble, June Van Order, and Abe Van Order; siblings: Kevin (Vicky) Canney, and Mary Jane (Jim) Midgett; and brother-in-law, Ken DeVisser; mother-in-law: Christina Shinabery; sister-in-law: Susanne Tovsrud.

Please join us at a Life Story Celebration on Monday, November 4, from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900 where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Celebrate Brian's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Open Doors Kalamazoo.