JACOBSEN, Bradley (Brad) Allen
It is with great sadness that we announce that Brad
Jacobsen passed away peacefully at his home in Vancouver, BC on February 17, 2021 at the age of 51. He is survived by his mother, Lucille Jacobsen and his brothers Brock (Tina) and Glen Wevers; along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Brad also has many lifelong friends he made in Dawson Creek, Kelowna and Vancouver, BC. Brad was predeceased by his father, Richard Jacobsen.
Brad was born in Prince George, BC on June 21, 1969 and spent his early childhood in Dawson Creek and moved to Kelowna in 1983 to live with his dad. He later moved to Burnaby and attended College where he studied Creative Writing. He wanted to become a Sports Broadcaster as he loved participating in and watching hockey, basketball, football and soccer.
Brad’s life changed on May 23, 1994 when a tragic accident in Pemberton, BC resulted in him becoming a quadriplegic. He accepted this new chapter in his life with the strength and the determination needed to face the challenges that lay ahead. In true Brad fashion, he continued to live life according to his rules and went zip lining; skydiving; bungee jumping; and even did the West Coast Trail with the help of Mountain Equipment Co-op (who designed a special travois to transport him) and nine of his friends. He also coached basketball and took his teams on to win several Provincial Championships. He was extremely proud of his team members.
Brad became an employee of Spinal Cord Injury BC in June of 2001 where he assisted in coordinating the Peer Support Program. Previous to that and afterwards, he counselled many people in trying to adapt to a new way of life. Brad cherished all of his working relationships, even after he left their employ in 2016 due to illness.
How do you put into words the life of someone so amazing that with each sentence another bevy of words pops into your mind? Or you talk to someone and even more aptly descriptive words are used to describe him? Brad was a person onto himself. All we can do is be grateful to have known him. Some said he was a loyal friend; dynamic; kind; loving; compassionate; just a wonderful human being. His legacy began the day he was born and will live on through all those who knew him. He lived his life by enriching the lives of others around him and he gave of himself freely and expected nothing in return. Brad was a model friend and mentor to everyone he met. He had an inherent ability to bring people together and yet each individual felt like they were the most significant person in the room.
Brad made a lasting impression on many, many people and he will be missed and remembered forever by those who loved him. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may make a donation in Brad’s memory to the Spinal Cord Injury (B.C.) or the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
“Free To Be”