Brian Mealey is a true trailblazer in the sport of downhill skiing here in Canada.
For over 40 years, Brian coached and inspired kids in the Algoma District to reach for the top of the mountain. His chalkboard was Searchmont, and his rule stick was a pair of skis strapped to his boots.
Under his tutelage, the region produced national and world level skiers like his son, John Mealey, Bob Real, Steve Roch, Lauren/Amy Latimer, Brigett Acton, and in later years, Mac and BJ Marcoux who started with Brian before moving to Para Alpine.
I have known Brian for close to 20 years now. He was part of our Batchawana Brigade voyageur canoe team who participated in three summers of re-enactment events to commemorate the anniversary of the War of 1812 in 2012.
Brian was the steersman of our vessel because he is an expert canoe enthusiast who possessed the knowledge and years of paddling to command our freighter canoe.
Brian is a man with a passion for life that not many can match.
He does everything at full throttle, whether it is racing down a mountain at 100kms an hour, paddling a canoe in a race in Wawa, cross country skiing, or making log furniture or log homes. Nothing will be at less that 110% commitment for Brian. And for a man in his mid 80s, he can still race down a double black diamond ski run faster than any 20 year old out there.
And it is that zest for life, that passion and that knowledge of the sport that made him a master of his craft. In 2017, Brian was inducted into the Sault’s Sport Hall of Fame for his coaching and work in Alpine Skiing.
Off of slope side, Brian has always been a man who fights for the natural environment, specifically the north shore of Lake Superior. During the exploratory phase and public input stage of the building of the wind towers at Montreal River, Brian was a very vocal advocate opposing the construction project because of the harm it would do to the natural world. He was very colourful in his approach, did not ever mince words, and said it as it saw it.
I remember those days. When Brian would arrive at the lodge for a bite to eat or a visit. It was like a hurricane came through the door. He was larger than life, and his presence was felt by everyone in the dining room. His laugh, his voice, and his humour just took over the place. He is still like that today.
I can remember sitting on the double chair once, going up the mountainside at Searchmont, and I could hear Brian’s unforgettable and distinctive laugh. I turned around to see where he was, but he was nowhere in sight. You could hear him but you could not see him. And that is Brian, a man with a gut laugh that brings smiles to so many faces.
Searchmont’s current ownership team has Brian, among others, to thank for the runs and varied terrain there. Brian has often been found in the off season, chain saw in hands, cutting, trimming and carving out runs. Looking after that mountain was his passion.
Today when he stops in at the lodge, we got him hooked on the apple fritters, we still talk and laugh about the goings on at Searchmont and what is happening on the north shore. There is, however, a twinge of sadness in his tone, for the only thing he loved more than skiing was his wife, Carolyn, and she passed away last year. We reminisce, we will give each other a bear hug, and up the highway he goes to Montreal River or points further north.
Although Brian’s coaching days are over, he is not finished teaching. He still casually instructs young kids at Searchmont because that bug will never leave him. He still teaches all of us how to be stewards of our natural world, and he still teaches all of us that laughter is the best medicine of all.
Brian you are a gift to those of us who make the Gateway City and the north shore of Lake Superior our home. You have grown a sport locally to international levels, and your kind heart and generous ways have earned you respect.
Thank you my friend for stopping in and making us all laugh.
Cheers my good friend. I hope you are able to find peace and joy this Christmas season. I know Carolyn is right there beside you holding your hand.
Proud to be a middleman in your voyageur canoe – your friend Frank O’Connor
Frank O'Connor and his wife Gail are the owners and operators of Voyageur Lodge and Cookhouse in Batchawana Bay. He's writing a profile a day leading up to Dec. 24, featuring people who have given back to their community in a positive way through their good deeds and work.