Brian David Charles Yelland

“Music was my first love, And it will be my last. Music of the future and music of the past”

Brian passed away in the care of Leighton Hospital on 7th December 2021 aged 83 years.

The beloved husband of Roswynn.  Much loved dad & step dad to Lynn, Mandy, Lorna and the late Michael also Jayne, June, Jacky & John. A cherished grandad & great grandad who will be fondly remembered & sadly missed.

His funeral took place on Tuesday 21st December at Crewe Crematorium Chapel 12.15pm

Kind donations in memory of Brian are going to Cancer Research.

For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our Funeral Home on 01270 584447

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Brian did so much in his life: he was husband, father, grandfather, singer, musician, entertainer, friend, petrol head, and the rest. He leaves a stunned family. We think especially of Ros, his widow, who lovingly cared for him in his decline. Although she faces a future without the man she loved, she has lots of family around her to love and support her.

Brian in life brought smiles and laughter not just to family, but to thousands and thousands of others, and now he says “Don’t be sad. Keep smiling and laughing.”

We can take a crumb of comfort from the fact that Brian was driving his car until just a few weeks ago, and he only spent less than a day at the end in hospital before he died peacefully.

He had a singing voice to die for – and shared literally across the world in Australia! A glorious immaculate stage presence with aura to match! Countless appearances at clubs and venues across the local region, and some at a further distance. Television appearances, as in the “Tricia” show.  And what about Brian the motor man –a speed man even? A man who had to be told off for speeding at Oulton!

Some of these skills and talents came together in an amusing way when Brian and his family were on their 6 week voyage to Australia. He took over the entertainment!  Something similar happened at his daughter Lynn’s wedding hotel, when he – uninvited – took to the stage and entertained the crowd.

His genius stemmed from his ability to capture deep emotions and convey them to others. He personally found deep meaning in his lyrics. He expressed universal feelings which found a home in the hearts of thousands. Now his music and song go on, perhaps a bit differently, more subtly perhaps, more subdued and softer perhaps, but they go on.

Let’s think about the range of his entertaining skills, in particular his humour. Humour transforms everyday experience.

In the humorous frame of mind, we experience, think about, or even create something that challenges our understanding of how things are supposed to be. We laugh at ourselves, even. Humour relieves tension. When in potentially stressful situations we can shift to the play mode of humour,  life takes on a new hue. We smile. We change gear. The world is a better place.

Secure family life is very precious indeed, and this is what Brian gave. Family gives us our roots and identities. Abiding childhood memories mean so much. Mandy for example remembers the dinghy trip along a river looking for the nests where the ducks had laid their eggs. And then the hard-boiled egg sandwiches in the picnic (not by the way the same duck eggs they had spotted along the river bank!). Lynn vividly remembers Brian holding her up as they approached Sydney Harbour Bridge at the end of their voyage to Australia. All his daughters remember his non-judgemental empathetic manner, his ability to listen. Some lovely long conversations. The way he was there to help and support in so many ways. Each one wants to say “Thank you for being my dad”.

All of them will have been influenced by him in some way – perhaps through his love of music, perhaps through his insistence in his professional life that things should be done right and methodically and to the highest standard. But they all have learned something about LOVE and will share his love in the way they love others.

His family grows and grows. Family members all carry forward a bit of Brian in their lives and memories.

Family love, however, comes with a price. Your grief today is part of that price. Brian paid some of that price when he lost his beloved son Michael 10 years ago. Their bond was beyond father and son. Something of Brian’s zest for life was lost when  Michael passed. Very fittingly a portion of Brian’s ashes are to join Michael’s in the family graveyard in Finchamstead. That is where Brian was born and spent his early years, and for which he retained affection all his.

Brian was a man’s man, not afraid of life, living his life to the full.  He worked hard, played hard. Loved all he did. Loved music. Loved people. Loved motors. Loved speed! So if he lived his life to the full,  that’s what he would be wanting us to be doing now he is gone. Leave out the speed, perhaps.

In contrast to sometimes loud music and the pulse of the stage, Brian loved nature – landscapes,  the great outdoors. He loved the peace, quiet, tranquillity. What an idyllic spot Ros and he had found in the foothills of the Peckforton Hills. He loved his dogs – latest the Shitsu “Holly” who is missing him like crazy.

Brian had contentment in his life. He had a sense of gratitude and appreciation for people, for opportunities, and for the world he found around him.

Those who are left can revel and exult in the love they had with, or through, Brian, and the happy memories. Love has an eternal dimension. Pretty well every love song tells you that. In that eternal love his family hope to see him again.

May he rest in peace.