Brian G. Kansky, 60, of Langley, passed away March 23rd at 11:15am at the University of Washington Medical Center in the loving embrace of his family after a prolonged battle with melanoma cancer.

He was born September 6, 1952 in Seattle Washington, and was adopted by Helen and George Kansky in 1953. Brian’s parents lived on Ranger Stations in Twisp, Washington and Union Creek, Oregon. Brian’s love of the outdoors was ingrained at a very early age. During his school age years, Brian grew up in Portland Oregon and attended Margaret Scott Elementary School where he met his life-long best friend, Ed Jones.

Brian graduated from Reynolds High School in 1970 and from Oregon State University in 1975 with a bachelors of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Forestry Products.

The outdoors and the forest were a life-long passion for Brian and many fantastic memories were made among the trees and lakes that he loved. Brian was also an avid fisherman and fished all over the globe.

While enrolled at O.S.U. Brian spent every summer working at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon where in 1969, he met the love of his life, Kathy. Kathy and Brian spent every summer together at the lake and in 1974 were joined in marriage there as well.

Upon graduating college Brian took a job with the Bridgestone/Firestone Corporation in 1975. Brian worked for the company in various roles until the time of his passing in 2013.

Brian and Kathy were active members of the Seattle Mountaineers from 1975-1982 and together climbed all of the major peaks in Oregon, Idaho and Washington as well as many peaks in Europe.

Brian is survived by his loving wife Kathy and his two children, Jerry and Stephanie.

Brian’s strength of character and selfless desire to help all those he could without any fanfare for himself will be missed by all, but we take comfort in knowing that we will see him again soon on the streets of heaven. As for now, Brian’s brother in law Roger put it best “I hope that God will guide you to the most awesome fishing streams and lakes that man has never known on Earth.”

We will be celebrating the life of this amazing man and wonderful father at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 6th at the Island Church of Whidbey at 503 Cascade Avenue, Langley, WA 98260. For anyone wishing to make contributions in Brian’s memory, the family suggests donations be made to: The Island Church of Whidbey Soup Kitchen at P.O. Box 322, Langley, Washington, 98260.