Brian Joseph Wilson
(July 12, 1939 - January 15, 2012)

Brian J. Wilson, 72, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at home. Born on July 12, 1939 in Liverpool, England, as a child he emigrated with his family to Adilade, Australia, where he grew up. After graduating from school, Brian joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserve in which he served honorably for four years. In 1963, Brian traveled across the world to Florida where he earned his commercial pilot's license. Brian flew for more than 20,000 hours as the pilot and captain of eight different types of large passenger aircraft, carrying passengers across many continents. While flying as a commercial pilot, Brian met Ann M. Young, then a nurse and flight attendant. They soon were married and raised two outstanding sons, Collin C., now a manufacturing production manager in Charlottesville, VA, and Douglas B, a graduate student at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. Also surviving are two brothers, John and David Wilson, and two nephews, Robert and Paul Wilson, all of Australia. In April 2006, Brian became a very proud citizen of the United States. Brian has been a leader in the Poquoson community at large and was highly respected for his continuous contributions to make life better for all. Brian has been incredibly active in Kiwanis International. He was a Distinguished Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Poquoson and twice the Lt Governor of Division 23. He was also awarded the highest honor in Kiwanis, the Hixon Medal. For many years Brian led the activities of numerous committees and organizations to improve communities throughout the Peninsula. As a regular driver for MedTran, he often commented how much he enjoyed sharing time and talk with his elderly passengers on their way to and from their medical appointments. Most notably, for the past decade Brian has worked closely with the Kiwanis Key Club at Poquoson High School, offering as fine an example of community service as anyone ever has. His favorite recreation was sailing his 43-foot cutter, Camira. His sailing included cruises up and down the Chesapeake Bay, many trips up and down the East Coast of the United States and voyages in the Atlantic Ocean as far as Bermuda. "The passing of Brian Wilson is a great loss to his family, his friends and our entire community."