Brett Alden Chapman (Q'eí:lestel)

September 6, 1955 - May 10, 2024

Brett Alden Chapman (known traditionally as Q'eí:lestel), age 68 of Ruby Creek, passed away suddenly and peacefully on May 10th, 2024 as the Northern Lights danced across the sky.

Born September 6th, 1955 in Vancouver, BC to parents William and Dolores (Anna) Chapman. Brett spent his early years playing with his siblings, chasing bears and wild horses while fishing and enjoying nature in Ruby Creek.

In elementary school he moved to Washington State where he excelled at athletics, including track, long jump, basketball and football. Following high school he began his logging career working alongside his dad as a tree faller in BC and then for G&F Logging until his retirement from the forest industry.

Following retirement, Brett cared for the buildings and lands of Skawahlook First Nation of which he was a member, the designated fisherman and respected elder, receiving his traditional name Q'eí:lestel, which means "wise man" in 2019.

Brett loved being in nature, especially hunting, fishing, chopping wood (aka killing trees) for his sister and sitting by the fire at his fishing spot. He was a lifelong music fan who enjoyed cataloguing his music collection, attending concerts, collecting concert t-shirts and reading Rolling Stones magazine.

He was known for his quick wit, his love of The Beatles, creating mixed tapes, his famous homemade bannock, salmon and smoked chicken, wearing t-shirts tucked in and his plaid jackets.

He found contentment with the simple joys of life such as watching TV in his favorite chair, having a cold beer at The Kingpin Lounge aka "the office" checking his "email" with his lunch buddies, entertaining at his home and watching sports. In his younger years, Brett enjoyed playing tennis, was a member of local baseball and basketball teams and coached T-ball and high school basketball.

Family was Brett's self-declared religion. His favorite role in life was that of Dad, Papa, Stinky Papa, Grandpa. His smile was biggest when he was speaking about his children and grandchildren and when he was surrounded by family. He devoted his life to making sure they knew how proud he was and how much he loved them, always greeting them at the door with wide open arms and the biggest hug and smile.

He covered his fridge and walls in family photos and cherished and held onto every single picture, letter, card and piece of artwork he received.

Brett lived by the motto that you should help at least one person every day and he cared deeply about the suffering of the homeless and hungry.

Preceded in death by his parents, William and Delores Chapman, in-laws Homer and Nell Dixon, siblings Bill, Paulette and Sharon and his first friend, Maxwell who died in second grade but was never forgotten.

Brett leaves behind his three children, Josh (Shelly) Kilmer, Leah (Simon) Sjovold and Stephanie (Thomas) Walter. Nine grandchildren, Madison (Chris), Caleb, Trey (Rayven), Trinity, Camryn, Kennedy, Jocelyn, Riordan and Thorstein.

Eleven siblings, Vernon, Maureen, Monty, Jerry, Debra, Howard, Deano, Lorna, Todd, Patty and Penny. He will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews who he adored, a large extended family, many friends and his best friend and brother in law, Dave Schneider.

In Brett's own words "Don't Let the Smile Die".

A celebration of Brett's life will be held on Friday, August 2nd at 10am, at the Hope Legion, 344 Fort St. Hope, BC V0X 1L0 (Please feel free to wear your favorite Beatles shirt