Brian Dempsey

July 7, 1956 – October 9, 2011

      Brian Dempsey passed away last Sunday morning at 5:00 after a 2½ year battle with colon cancer. Those who knew Brian during this time were amazed at the way he continued to embrace life and always found time for his friends and family.

      Brian was born in Eugene, Oregon and moved to the northwest during his high school years. While in high school, Brian blazed a path in the junior golf world by winning the Washington Amateur and a host of other tournaments and still holds several course records in Snohomish County. He earned a golf scholarship to the University of Oregon, but injured his hip in the weight room at the end of his freshman year. After recovering he took a year to try to make the PGA tour and missed the cut by one stroke! Golfing with Brian was not only a treat but often resulted in the participant getting pointers that helped his/ her game.

      Brian married Patricia in 1977 and they started their family shortly thereafter.

      Many knew Brian in different ways. He had his motorcycle friends, his mountain climbing friends, his golfing buddies and his close network of church friends.

      When Brian was not involved in his outside activities or with his family, he was most known in this community through his role as President of Fairbank Construction Company. Brian started working for the company shortly after his pursuit of the PGA in 1980. During the past 30 years, Brian grew from working as a carpenter, supervisor, estimator and project manager to finally, in 1998, being appointed president of the company. Anyone who knew Brian was not surprised by this new position. Over the years he had shown again and again an exceptional eye to detail and worked endlessly to make sure each client was happy with the end results. Brian oversaw the day-to-day operation of a company that had grown from three employees starting in 1978 to over 70 by the spring of 2008 and was actively building projects in five counties. Brian’s sincerity, integrity and thoroughness were traits that anyone who encountered Brian was quick to experience.

      Brian was known for his can-do attitude and the stories of his going the extra mile for clients are many. He spent one Christmas Eve wrapping a leaking chimney with a tarp in the pouring rain – on top of a steep second floor roof! His weekend visits to job sites or meetings with clients were many and those that worked with him knew him as someone who listened and acted upon whatever decisions were made in those meetings. At the end of the day, Brian could often be found at his favorite restaurant, San Carlos.

      From 2006 – 2011, Brian served on the board of the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce. Those who served with him remember him as conscientious and thorough in whatever task he needed to do. He only stepped down due to his health.

      Brian is survived by his wife, Patricia, three children, Jeremy, Mariah and Jordan and seven grandchildren. They all reside in the area.

      A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Island Church. All are welcome.

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