Former chief of Denny's factory

Brian, who was 82, passed away at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton, where he and Alma, his wife of 55 years, moved four years ago, to be closer to their daughter Judith and her family. As well as Alma (nee Graham, originally from Dollingstown) and Judith, he is survived by son Michael, sister Merle Edgar, son-in-law Pip and grandson Dan. He was predeceased by brother Frank.

Born on October 17, 1933, Brian was the son of Margaret and John Dynes of Alexandra Gardens. He was educated at the Hart Memorial (then Public Elementary) School and Portadown Technical School. He started working at Denny’s as an office boy when he was 14 years old.

During the early period of his life, he studied to become a chartered accountant and – as a mature student – attained a degree in economics from Queen’s University, Belfast. He rose up through the ranks and ended his career in Denny’s as MD.

He was also a very keen and talented amateur photographer, taking pictures at weddings and many community events in Portadown and beyond.

After he left Denny’s, Brian kept busy as a mentor and small business advisor for LEDU and was secretary of the Ulster Curers’ Association until this year.

He was a man of many talents and used them to the full. On the sports field, rugby and golf were his main passions. He played rugby for many years for Portadown, initially at the Woodside and then at Chambers Park. He was a member of the 1957 team which won the Towns Cup and later on captained the Second XV.

An enthusiastic golfer, he played every week at Carrickblacker – sometimes at Tandragee – and was a past captain of Portadown. A gentler pastime was the game of bridge which he and Alma pursued at Portadown and Armagh Clubs.

Brian also adored travelling – on his Royal Enfield motorbike as a young man, and later on he and Alma travelled as far afield as Canada, the USA, Bali and Australia as well as around Europe - especially to Lanzarote where they had a holiday home in which they spent many happy weeks each year.

He was a long-serving member of Portadown Male Voice Choir, where he sang in the baritone section, enjoying their successes at various festivals all over Ireland and in Great Britain. He also relished overseas trips with the choir, to places like Germany, Canada and the United States – he had a great love of music and enjoyed singing both in the choir and at singsongs and social gatherings.

He was an extremely sociable man with a ready wit and keen sense of humour – he had many friends in Portadown and Portnoo in Donegal, another favoured destination which he and Alma visited regularly.

After Brian and Alma moved to Brighton, they quickly became involved with the local community. He joined Brighton Male Voice Choir, they both became involved in the local bridge club and in the village hall functions, and soon got to know many people.

Arrangements are being made to have Brian’s ashes taken home to Portadown.