Posted
by: Bears' Alumni
Thursday, January 7, 2016
O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done, ..."
It is with a huge heavy heart that I am letting you know of the passing of Garnet "Ace" Brimacombe at 3:51 p.m. PST on January 6, 2016. With apologies to others, Ace was My Captain and my life is richer because of it. I had the good fortune of playing three years with Ace and he was our captain in my third year with the Bears. During tough times he always had a way of putting things in perspective and finding the fun in all things. I last saw Ace at Clare Drake’s Dinner in June of this past year. We partied like rock stars until 3:00 a.m. finally stopping for gyros on the way home like we were back in University. Water was badly needed. As Alumni I know we have all been influenced by important people. If you have lost touch with your Captain, please call him and let him know how much he means to you. I wish I would have. I am grateful I will always have Clare's dinner. Rest in peace My Captain. Zap
Anyone that has an Ace story, I would appreciate hearing it. I will be going to see Vicky next week and I will take all your stories. Shutty shared the following one with me today.
Ace, one of my all-time favorite Golden Bears. I remember after we won the University Cup in Regina in 1979-80, after the game there was the usual celebration with drinking champagne out of the Cup in the dressing room. We had a little bit of time until the team flight left to return home, so the boys had some fun. As time was running down to leave the rink, Ace was still the only one in full equipment, proudly wearing the Golden Bears sweater and enjoying the win with his teammates, taking it all in. Finally, Billy, who was the head coach that season, told me to get the boys going and on the bus. Ace was the last player to shower and to save time and get the bus going just a bit sooner, he went to the showers in full gear, including his skates, and then began to pass me his equipment piece by piece, laughing all the time with his signature laugh. A great teammate and friend.