Obituary of John Stuart Brining

John Stuart Brining
July 21, 1944 / December 9, 2025

John passed away at the Perth Site of the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 with his loved ones by his side.

He was born in Sheffield UK to a Canadian Soldier Harry Arthur Brining, and an English mother Joan Brining (nee Pugh) during WWII.  Joan made the journey to Canada in 1947 shortly after the conclusion of the war.

John was larger than life, literally a tall man at 6’ 4”. John was fiercely loyal, strongly opinionated, a true outdoorsman/sportsman (avid curler and golfer), and had the strongest work ethic ever. John’s first priority in life, was being a wonderful, devoted husband to Dianne, a father to Michael (daughter-in-law Randhir) and Kathleen (son-in-law Jean-Noel), an amazing Papa to Dylan, Christopher, Raj, Andrew, Quinn, Felix, Kyle, Devin and Mitchell, then a great-papa to Austin, Jack and a future little girl. John was a wonderful big brother to Wendy (nieces Leslie and Heather) and Stephen (nephew Thomas)

He is survived by Ruth Miller-Baker, whom he happily married on July 19, 2025.

John lived and breathed Nuclear, even after he retired, and right up until he left us, strategizing how he could still contribute to the Canadian Nuclear Industry, after an amazing career with his 50+ years. He started his nuclear career in 1971 with Ontario Hydro (now Bruce Power) in Bruce County, as a draftsman and grew his career and his family there in beautiful Kincardine. John loved the country life, working, hunting, fishing, training hunting dogs, and teaching gun safety courses.

In 1984, John was transferred to Pickering Nuclear and moved the family to Ajax. He started at Ontario Hydro (now OPG) on the Construction side. He was a Department Manager in Field Engineering, overseeing the technical groups, the General Superintendent for the Pickering Re-tube. He went back to Bruce Power for other assignments too. When John retired from OPG, he started the next day with Black & McDonald as Construction Project Manager for the successful Pickering A Return to Service Project. He went on to join Aecon and consulted for the Darlington Refurbishment Project.

John was instrumental in many peoples’ lives, and influenced many at work. He was extremely loyal and appreciative of the Building Trade Unions, with a true affiliation to the Millwrights and other mechanical trades. Many people have reached out to share their memories, defining his leadership, passion for safety and quality and someone said “John was an absolute legend”.

In closing, John was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, a former 48th Highlander, he also loved good wine - especially ‘VGS’, scotch and traveling. Sadly, John passed away after his last adventure with Ruth on a cruise to Asia. John died the way he lived, decisively and on his terms and now reunited with his first love Dianne.

He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Friends are invited to join the family for John’s memorial service at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St. W. Perth on Monday December 15th, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with a celebration to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 244 Perth  from 1:00 to 3:00  P.M. In remembrance of John, donations to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 244 or the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation – Perth Site would be appreciated. For anyone unable to make the drive, there will be another celebration in Ajax tentatively scheduled for Sunday July 19, 2026 and location TBD.