By Emily Stonehouse

Everybody knew his name. 

A politician, a friend, an ally, a son, a brother, a husband, a parent, a grandfather. 

Brent Devolin was a man who wore many hats, and with each one, made his mark in the community. A community where everybody knew his name. 

That’s why, when news spread that Brent had died after a brief battle with a terminal brain disease, the community stood still. “He was truly a Jack of all trades,” his daughter, Lauren Devolin, reflected on her dad. “And he was just that guy you could always call. For anyone, he was that guy.” 

The Devolin family shared that Brent came down with a sudden illness, which progressed quickly into a coma, and he never woke up. After five weeks of uncertainty, Brent passed away on July 22, 2024. He was 63 years old. “It’s a horrible tragedy,” said Brent’s brother, Barry Devolin, when he spoke with the Echo. “We don’t know how it started, and we never will. While that’s frustrating, we do know that there is nothing we could have done differently to have a different outcome.” 

Many would know Brent from when he served on the Minden Hills municipal council, where he was first elected as Reeve in 2014, and served as Mayor until 2022. He was the Warden of Haliburton County in 2017. 

“My dad always said he would stay in politics until he felt he had finished the little projects he had started to make our community better,” said Lauren. “As soon as he was able to check those boxes, he was ready to step aside.” 

Some of Brent’s work during his time in council included the renovations of the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena, the Fire Hall, and additional housing initiatives throughout the community. Brent was heavily involved in EORN, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, with the mandate to improve broadband access across the county. He was passionate about community organizations such as Minden Pride and the Snowmobile Association, and was a strong advocate for local businesses and arts, frequently supporting events held at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre and the Community Centre. 

Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell worked alongside Brent for eight years on Minden Hills Council. “I remember in the fall of 2013, going into Ridgewood Ford to talk to him about the possibility of him running for Reeve in the 2014 election,” she recalled. “We were in turmoil at the township at the time, and I felt he would be a good choice for Minden Hills, and I was right.” 

Schell reflected on the loyalty and commitment Brent had for his constituents; serving on a variety of boards, committees, and volunteer organizations. “Although far too short, Brent leaves behind a legacy of a life well lived,” she said, “loving and caring for his family, friends, and community. He was an all-around good human being.”

“Brent was so proud when he became Reeve,” said Barry. “He was so proud to be falling in his father-in-law’s footsteps, and he really did always put Minden first. He loved Minden.” 

The Devolin family moved from Peterborough to Haliburton when Brent and Barry were young boys. Their father, Doug Devolin, became the principal for J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School for many years, and the family settled into the community. After graduating from Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Brent married his high school sweetheart, Laurie. The two were married for 38 years, and raised a loving family together. 

“He asked me out on the last day of school before the summer break,” chuckled Laurie, “so I thought, ‘okay, I guess we will kind of date through the summer, let’s see where this goes.’ And six years later, we were married.” 

“We were so compatible,” she said. “I remember when we started dating, I just thought it was so fabulous to have someone to do all these fun experiences with.” Laurie shared that Brent “lived for all kinds of fun activities,” including camping, snowmobiling, skiing, and motorcycling. 

She said he never shied away from trying new things, and was always open to novel experiences; traveling, exploring, and learning in different places. “And of course, we always dragged the kids to these things,” laughed Laurie, referencing their three children; Kurran, Lauren, and Spencer. “And now, they have an appreciation of all these things as well.” 

Many who knew Brent would share that his family always came first. “He was very involved with his kids and his grandkids,” said Barry, after a moment of quiet reflection. “Yes, he absolutely adored his grandchildren.” 

Lauren said that she would often reach out to her dad whenever she needed a hand, and he would always pick up the phone. She shared that there were times all through her life; as a child, through her early twenties – during good times and bad – if she ever needed someone, she would always call her dad. “He was just the best dad,” she said. “He taught me so many things; how to drive stick, how to change a tire, how to ski and snowboard. I just feel sad for all the things we are going to miss.”

Traditions were an important part of the Devolin family, and Lauren recalled how her grandfather would always take her out for a birthday lunch each year; a tradition they had started with Brent and her own children, who are now ages three and one. “He always made the time,” she said. “He would do whatever we needed at the drop of a hat.” 

“He was really in a sweet spot in life,” said Barry, noting that since his retirement from local government, Brent had been dabbling in contracting. “Brent filled in all the gaps,” he chuckled. “He was happy doing that; being a Jack of all trades. That’s what’s so sad about this. He was really enjoying this time in his life.” 

“He really did just love life,” said Laurie. “He genuinely loved people, and he truly cared about people. When there was something or someone he believed in, he would fight for that. Tooth and nail.”

The visitation for Brent will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Haliburton Community Funeral Home, followed by the funeral on Friday, Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Baptist Church, with a reception after the service. The Devolin family will also be hosting a celebration of life on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Minden Arena, from 3 until 10 p.m. “Brent said he always wanted a big party,” laughed Laurie. 

As a writer, you are often told to keep your personal thoughts to yourself. When you work for a newspaper, the place for an opinion is in the editorial section, and a news article is hardly the spot for personal anecdotes. 

But in a small town, when a larger than life figure passes on, it rattles the community. In a small town, a death isn’t just a statistic to round off a timeline, not just a date on a tombstone, and never just a standard story in the news.

A death is the end of an era. It’s a reminder to call your friends, to hug your loved ones, to think back on the many times you saw that face at a local hockey game, at the grocery store, or in the newspaper. It’s a humbling reality that serves as a sign that life is fleeting; here today, gone tomorrow. 

I had the opportunity to work alongside Brent, both with the Township of Minden Hills and as a journalist, and I can say that during those stints as colleagues, it was evident that his heart beat for his town, his friends, and above all, his family. 

And he will be missed, especially in this community. 

Where everybody knew his name.