Decorations Rohn Brown spent most of his life collecting are back up at his Sams Way home, eight months after he unexpectedly passed away. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

fitting tribute

VIDEO: Nanaimo family put up famous Christmas light display, ‘one more time in memory of dad’

Dec 7, 2022 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — He might not be there in person, but one family is ensuring their lost husband and father is home for the holidays.

Rohn Brown passed away unexpectedly in April, leaving behind a loving family, friends and neighbours who affectionately referred to him as the Mayor of his north Nanaimo neighbourhood.

His biggest claim to fame was a Christmas light display at his family’s Sams Way home, just off Rutherford Rd., a display which is back up for one last year as a tribute from his family.

“This is something he’s always, always loved since he was a child,” Dianne, his wife fondly remembered. “He was born and raised in Nova Scotia and they did Christmas’ up, he was just like a child. The more he saw the more he wanted, we had to have it for the kids.”

The display started on their Turner Rd. property, then nearly 20 years ago Rohn and Dianne moved to Sams Way where it continued to grow.

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Rohn’s planning began months before the holidays, purchases of decorations were nearly year-round and his family said not only thousands of dollars, but thousands of hours went into making sure every bulb, every ornament, was just right.

“He would start thinking about Christmas in the summer time, how he was going to start decorating. He had a plan, then he’d go out and start his plan and every neighbour would come out and talk to him.”

The decision to put lights up again this year was a no-brainer, with plans put in motion shortly after his passing.

“I just said ‘we have to do this one more time in memory of dad’,” Dianne said. “It was hard…and we were getting closer and closer to it and I didn’t know whether I could do it or not but I just said he would be disappointed, I can’t disappoint him, so we did.”

In late November, Rohn’s family and some old friends gathered at the home to put up some of his massive collection of lights and hand-made displays for their front yard.

Kimberly MacGillivray, one of his five children, said it was an emotional experience.

“This year was definitely tough, there were a few good tears shed when we looked at the house as a whole. We know not everything is up, we’re sitting at about 60 per cent of what’s generally up but just the fact if we didn’t do it, it wouldn’t be the same.”

MacGillivray added having the lights up makes it feel like her Dad is with them this holiday season.

The lights were just one aspect of Rohn’s love for Christmas.

“Sneaky” (Dianne’s words) purchases of lights and decorations aside, Rohn was well known for his spirit in the community.

He would dress up as Santa and greet kids in front of their home, hand out candy canes and hear nearly endless Christmas lists.

Rohn Brown would make frequent trips outside of his Sams Way home, dressed as Santa to interact with kids who stopped to see his home’s holiday lights display. (submitted photo)

During the rest of the year, neighbours would often spot him sitting in his garage tinkering on a variety of projects or getting ready for next Christmas.

It’s reminders of those moments or friendships people struck with Rohn, which have helped the family in the months since he passed.

MacGillivray said since the lights went up, people have constantly been reaching out in person and online.

“Just to hear those stories from people we don’t even know posting on Facebook ‘your dad did this’, or ‘we remember driving by’, or ‘we’re going to drive by because we want to celebrate your dad with you’, it means a lot and it makes you feel like you’re surrounded (by love).”

Both Dianne and MacGillivray said the act of putting up the lights and sharing stories with friends and family of their husband or father’s love for Christmas has helped them in the grieving process.

Rohn was 70 when he passed, while he and Dianne were married for 45 years.

Rohn Brown’s love of Christmas is being celebrated by his family, putting up just some of his thousands of decorations as a final tribute to their lost husband and father. (submitted photo)

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