I wanted to share my experience as Brendan’s friend, coaching partner, and teammate to highlight the impact he made on the Calgary rugby community.

I have known Brendan for a long time. We grew up in the same community and attended the same elementary, Jr. high and high school. Since I was a year younger in school, we only became close friends once we started playing rugby together at William Aberhart high school. Brendan had a knack for mentoring younger guys and he always encouraged me to stick with rugby. Even back then, he played with unmatched intensity and ferocity.

After graduating, Brendan and I went back to Aberhart to coach the Jr. and Sr. boys rugby programs for several years while attending university. Brendan was a natural teacher who helped foster the love of the game in everyone he coached.

Brendan played club rugby for the Calgary Saracens and Calgary Rams, university rugby at MRU and UofC, and rep rugby for Team Alberta and the Prairie Wolfpack. He was a proficient lock/loose forward in 15s and an excellent 7’s player due to his fitness and skill.

During his time at UofC, Brendan is perhaps most famous (or infamous) for choreographing our magic mike style strip routines for our ladies night fundraisers at Cowboys. That basically tells you everything you need to know about his off-field antics.

Brendan was a fierce competitor on the rugby pitch, and a true friend and mentor off the pitch. He always brightened the mood at practice and was always able to get a laugh out of the boys. He will be truly missed.

RIP Didds! Miss ya buddy!

I met Brendan in 2020 through hinge when I was in a season in my life overcoming my fears of dating and commitment. I remember seeing his profile with his rockstar head of hair stating that he was a mix of “Steve jobs, Willy Wonka and Jesus”. Thought to myself…man, this guy is a vibe! Lol. 

From the moment we met and through the conversations we had; I knew we would be friends 🥰. Brendan is one of the most genuine and kindest people I have ever met. He is a man that embodied love and life . I’m so thankful and will forever miss the random voice notes and check-ins…the dinners and deep soulful conversations. Truly, he is one of the most thoughtful human beings I know. I’m so thankful to have crossed paths with Brendan in this life; he surely has made mine and a lot of other people’s life brighter by being a part of it. 

Brendan… I’m sending you so much love and wish you peace, my friend. Praying for so much love, and comfort to your family and loved ones at this time. I am sooooo deeply grateful for you and our friendship 🤍🕊️🙏🏽

Brendan’s YouTube channel:  

https://www.youtube.com/@para…

Brendan was one of my very closest friends for the past decade. We would have phone calls once a week to connect and share our dreams and challenges in life. He was such an inspiration to me and we always challenged each other to be better men.  The loss of my dear friend and brother is a pain unlike any I have felt before.  He might be gone from the physical world but his spirit lives on. Love you Brendan, thank you for being unapologetically you.

Brendan wore his heart on his sleeve each and every day and this was something I always admired about him growing up. We had a really close-knit friend circle that he was part of and he certainly embraced his role as the wildcard. He challenged boundaries and pushed us out of our comfort zones, which in the moment I hated, but looking back at how it helped shape me into who I am today,I will forever be grateful for. He taught me how to be tough and stand up to bullies, and when I didn't, he would be there to stand up to them for me each and every time. 

One of my favorite memories is going to metal concerts and crowd surfing together, which is something this shy guy would never have done if you weren't in my life. You helped me feel alive, built up my confidence, and showed me that it was ok to be myself and I should be proud of that, even if others judged me. 

The whole Ranchlands crew will miss you dearly. We love you brother. 

For years I would always see Brendan in passing at the Rugby field, I always noticed what insane energy this guy carried around with him. He was such an amazing rugby player and very intimidating. We finally got to meet outside of partying at the CRU into MRU. We both studied Kin together and spent many years studying and transferred together to  the UofC. He was always so great to be around, to study with and joke around. He was always up for any new adventure. 

When he told me he was UofC  I was so shocked but I could see he was on a new path in life that he really needed to take. He was good at everything he tried and was so amazing with connecting with people, I will always remember his big hugs his laugh and his amazingly kind soul.  

Brendan I will forever have the sight of you in your tight sparkly leopard pants every-time I hear the song "Sexy and I know it". xo

Sending all my love to your family <3 

You are my brother not by blood but by choice. You are my family not because of circumstance, but because of unconditional love. The impact you had on me is more profound than you will ever know. The last 4 years were challenging for me as I healed. I felt unworthy of love my entire life, abandoned and rejected. The only unconditional love I have ever felt was within the family I created, with Jonathan and the kids.

You never rejected me, you did not abandon like so many others have. You loved without judgement, you loved with understanding and compassion, you showed up, you engaged, you always hugged and you never forgot to say I love you. You were intentional with how you spoke and with your actions, it was never out of obligation, you genuinely cared and it was shown at every opportunity. Thank you Brendan for making me feel loved beyond the walls of my home. Thank you for being my family.

Thank you for being such an amazing uncle to all the kids. They will always cherish the walks you took together, playing at the park with their big uncle Brendan, the way you would take an interest in what was going on in their lives, and family dinners. They love you so much and will forever cherish the time you spent with them. I am going to miss you, the kids will miss you. I will miss your smile, the excitement that would come over you when you would visit. I will miss your voice messages checking in to say hello and telling me that you miss and love me, your sometimes mildly inappropriate and yet hilarious birthday wishes, and most of all your hugs, laughter and company. Although these things may seem small,  the small gestures are what make the greatest impact. There was never a dull moment with you Brendan you made our lives more colourful. You matter, you are so loved and you will forever be missed.