Long-time City of Regina bass drummer killed

Brian Fraser (45), who for a number of years served as the City of Regina Pipe Band’s bass drummer, was killed in a collision in Winnipeg over the weekend. Brian and his wife Sandi were returning from a Saturday morning walk with the dog when a large truck hit their van, killing Brian and injuring Sandi. Sandi, a piper with the Glenaura Pipe band of Winnipeg, has been released from hospital.

Brian was at various times bass drummer for the Transcona Pipe Band in Winnipeg, the Yorkton Celtic Fire Pipe Band, and the Wa Wa Shrine Pipe Band in Regina. It was while Brian and his family lived in Saskatchewan that he became involved in the City of Regina Pipe Band. For a number of years, Brian was a devoted member of the band, and perhaps his proudest moment came when he won “Best Bass” in Grade 2 at the North American Championships in Maxville in 1997.

Over his years in the band, Brian won the Best Bass award at Highland Games across Western Canada, and was a key part of the band’s Best Drum Corps awards at games in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Washington state.

Brian always said the hardest moment for him was having to leave the band when his work took him back to Winnipeg, and he eventually settled with the Glenaura Pipe Band.

Brian worked hard for pipe bands, and was an enthusiastic shoulder-to-the-wheel member of any group of which he was a member. He loved pipe bands and the music, and was a great ambassador for pipe bands in his many other roles in life.

Brian will be greatly missed by his family and friends.