The nursing profession lost one of its own this spring when 57-year-old Brian Beattie died from COVID-19. He had been an RN for 23 years and is believed to be the first nurse in Canada to die from the virus.

At the time of his death, Beattie was working at Kensington Village, a long-term care home in London, Ont. He loved his work, brother Ian Beattie says. He loved it so much that he considered the staff with whom he worked as his second family. “He was dedicated…married to his work.” 

The older Beattie said his brother became sick at the end of April, after testing positive for COVID-19 following an outbreak at the nursing home on April 3. He died in his own home in May, just as nurses across the country were preparing to celebrate the beginning of Nursing Week (May 11-17).

RNAO issued a statement about Beattie’s death. CEO Doris Grinspun said Beattie’s death has deeply touched everyone working on the frontlines of the pandemic because they are as vulnerable as the patients and residents for whom they are providing care.

During an interview with reporter Ioanna Roumeliotis of CBC’s The National on May 13, Grinspun said more needs to be done to ensure those fighting COVID-19 are safe. “Whether Brian contracted COVID-19 inside the nursing home or outside the nursing home, it’s quite irrelevant. We have not done enough to protect health-care workers, in general,” she said as she reflected on the sacrifices and risks they face on a daily basis.

Beattie was among eight health workers at the home who tested positive for the virus. All of them recovered, with the exception of Beattie and at least five of the home’s residents.

Nurses who know the risks associated with COVID-19 were among those who posted messages of condolence on a Facebook page honouring Beattie’s memory.  

In a statement provided to RNAO by Kensington Village, Leslie Ducharme, director of operations, described Brian as a “caring and hardworking nurse who exemplified our core values of compassion, comfort and care. Brian had a wonderful sense of humour and a contagious laugh that brought ease and joy to his colleagues on a daily basis.” The statement said he “served as a mentor to his younger colleagues who looked up to him for guidance and direction.”

While soldiering on without their beloved colleague, staff at the long-term care home took time out from their duties to honour him at a June memorial ceremony with his family, respecting physical distancing. RN and director of care Melanie Campbell and RPN Tina Campbell (no relation) recorded a video to share the impact Brian had among his nursing and other work colleagues. 

In addition to his two families, which included two nephews, a niece and lots of cousins, Brian was also passionate about his two dogs: shepherds Axyl and Lana. “He loved dogs. They were “the loves of his life,” says Ian, who is now looking after them, along with his wife.

When asked about his best memory of his younger brother, Ian said: “He is a loveable guy. A very happy, go lucky guy...he made people feel good. I miss him.”