Logan, Andre, Brian and Paul at Hilton Falls

Maxx, Vivian and I received the following e-mail from Paul Yip today informing us of the passing of our friend and fellow ADE Brian Arruda. No words can express our sadness and how much we will miss him.

Hello,
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Brian Arruda, ADE class of 2013. Brian passed away today, January 12, 2015 at 5:18pm after a battle with cancer that lasted well over a year.
Brian was extremely proud of his acceptance into the Apple Distinguished Educator program, a visionary educator whose initiatives are even now being implemented by the York Catholic District School Board. He worked diligently on his project from Austin and his One Best Thing was chosen for publication before he became to ill to complete the final edits. It distressed him when he couldn’t apply for San Diego’s institute last year due to his chemotherapy, but was looking forward to getting better and applying the following year.
Local ADEs will remember him for his enthusiastic participation in the GTA ADE photo outing to Hilton Falls. In fact it was very shortly after that event that Brian was diagnosed with brain cancer, already at stage 4.
I am sorry that you will not have the opportunity to get to know Brian better; In his very short time with the ADE program he participated with the same earnest zeal with which he approached the rest of his remarkable life.

Paul Yip

PS. Please let me know if there is any further information, certificates etc.. you may require, as I am acting in the capacity of executor of Brian’s will.

Visitation:
Date: Friday, January 16, 2015 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm
Location: Thompson Funeral Home
Address: 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora
Phone: 905-727-5421
http://www.dignitymemorial.ca/thompson-funeral-home/en-ca/directions.page

Funeral:
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 10:30 am
Location: Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church
Address: 15347 Yonge Street, Aurora
Phone: 905-727-4594
http://www.ourladyofgrace.com/

If you missed the visitation, it was clear that Brain was well loved by all. Hundreds of people were there and the visitation line weaved around the visitation area. Paul Yip introduced Vivian and I to Brian’s lovely wife Eileen and beautiful 12 year old daughter Emily. Both were welcoming and very strong in the face of such a tragedy. I have inserted the cards that were handed out at the visitation.

Prayer Card

Prayer Card