SWEET, Brian D., CA - 82, of Middle Sackville, NS, formerly of Wyvern, NS, died peacefully at the Halifax Infirmary May 9th, 2024 following a brief, unexpected illness. Brian was born September 17, 1941, at the family homestead in Wyvern, the youngest of three children of the late Russell and Lillian (Brown) Sweet. His father predeceased him while Brian was still in infancy. His neighbour, the late Arthur Hodgson, became a father-figure who, among other things, taught him the fine art of maple syrup making with horse and wagon and wood fire deep in the woods. Brian went to high school in Oxford and Amherst and took one semester at Acadia before joining the Bank of Nova Scotia in Oxford. While working at the bank, Brian met and married Dorothy Ripley of Amherst. They were transferred to Saint John, NB, where daughter Natalie was born. Brian left the bank and moved to New Glasgow, NS to begin articling with the accounting firm H.R. Doane and Company. He and Dorothy became active in the community by joining the Y's Men and Y's Menettes. Son Gordon was born during this time. Brian passed the Chartered Accountants' exams with top marks in 1971. A few years later he was transferred to the Doane office in Halifax, and then went home to hang out his own shingle in private practice in Amherst where he served the community for more than three decades. Brian also became a gentleman farmer. He loved the land and would walk the 470 acres as often as he could. He built a garage for the two cars. One was moved out for the tractor he bought to harvest blueberries. Then the other car was moved out for the evaporator to make syrup. Eventually the garage was expanded to make a proper sugar camp. He hired Dave Morash to manage the day to day farm operations. Dave helped bring Brian's vision to life and became an integral part of Wyvern Farms. When Brian retired from accounting, with the help of his life-long friends Avard Bentley and the late Doug Thompson, he expanded the maple operation to 16 thousand taps, one of the largest sugar operations in Nova Scotia. In a blind taste test, Brian could pick out his syrup, likening the differences to variations in wine that occur because of soil and growing conditions. May 1st was an official holiday in the Sweet household. Not May Day, but tax freedom day. With the federal income tax deadline of April 30th , NHL playoffs, and waaay to much sugar and all-night boiling during spring sap run, March and April were a blur. The whole family participated: labelling bottles, stapling tax returns, making post office runs, and cheering on the hapless Leafs. Oh, those Toronto Maple Leafs. They've gotten his hopes up for more than half a century. But being a Leafs fan creates character: Brian loved underdogs, he had patience, remained hopeful, and he always tried to "make things better", even if the coach and management never heard his suggestions. Brian was a bona-fide armchair sports fan. He watched it all and became quite adept following 3 or 4 games simultaneously on TV without missing a play. He loved women's hockey and was once heard to say, "those Leafs could learn a thing or two from those gals." He was also an armchair fan of politics: Brian loved underdogs, he had patience, remained hopeful, he always tried to "make things better", even if the government never heard his suggestions. Those traits served him well in other areas. Brian and Dorothy both had many life-threatening illnesses over the years. He brought patience, hope, and a desire to make things better to their diagnoses. In later years, when Dorothy's mobility was challenged, Brian took on more of the homemaking skills, even making biscuits for a church quilting. Oddly enough, even though everyone conceded they were amazing (for a first timer) the community figured they'd better feed them after that and casseroles came pouring in! Brian and Dorothy "came south for the winter" to Middle Sackville, NS and eventually moved permanently in 2012 to be closer to family and healthcare facilities. Dorothy pre-deceased Brian in 2018 after 56 years of marriage. He recently parted with the farm, leaving it in good hands with Doug's son. Brian stayed active enjoying coffee and conversation about "making things better" with the folks at Bedford United Church. He played carpet bowling and cards, and shared many meals with friends at the Sackville Seniors' Centre where he briefly joined the Board. When he was home and there was no game to be had on TV (heaven forbid), he could be found with a pen tackling crossword puzzles and sudoku. Brian will be missed by his daughter Natalie (Ian) Moyes, son Gordon Sweet (Dr. Maureen Nolan), grandchildren Gordon and David Moyes and Gina Sweet and Julie Nolan-McCarthy, adopted family member Shania Purdie, brothers-in-law Roland Carter, Wentzell Ripley and Dwight Mollins, sisters-in-law Cheryl Mollins and Raelene Skaling, 11 nieces and nephews and their families, many friends and business associates, and one big black dog named Luna. Besides his parents, Brian was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, sisters Helen Smith and Judy (Roland) Carter, brother-in-law Bill (Helen) Smith, sister-in-law Joan (Wentzell) Ripley, and several dear friends. Brian's family is grateful he was able to remain at home until his recent hospital admission. Special thanks to his community care coordinators, his home care provider, Wanda, and others through the last few years, and VON. He received life-saving care under several specialists at Capital Health in haematology, cardiology, oncology, and thoracic departments. Special thanks to his primary care physician, Dr. Elena Swift, who enabled him to spend more years with his family. Brian often said he was living on bonus time after surviving an aortic dissection in 2007. But it was the compassion of Dr. MacLean on 8.1 plus the team at the Halifax Infirmary's 3IMCU under the lead of Dr Chowdhury in Brian's final hours which will be forever marked on our hearts. Brian's remains have been entrusted to the care of MacDiarmid's Funeral Home in Oxford, NS. An informal family visitation and celebration of Brian's life (with stories!) will be held Saturday, May 25th from 2-4 pm at Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Highway, Bedford Nova Scotia. A public burial will be held at Collingwood-Wyvern Cemetery, on land formerly owned by the Sweet family, Saturday June 1st at 3 pm, Rev. Katie Aven officiating. In case of inclement weather, a short commitment service will be held at MacDiarmid's Funeral Home in Oxford. To honour Brian's memory, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Collingwood-Wyvern Cemetery, Bedford United Church , Sackville Seniors' Centre, or QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation . He'd remind you to hang onto the receipt for next year's tax return.