Brian Urwin, Think Healthy Me’s Life President and founder of our diabetes group, sadly passed away on the 1st of June 2023. He worked passionately and tirelessly to help disadvantaged young people and was dedicated to empowering people to look after their health and well-being. In recent years he founded Think Healthy Me CIC, which has 24 associates, each experienced in natural/complementary medicine, nutrition and mindfulness, yoga, transcendental meditation, massage, coaching and more skills.
Much-loved husband, dad, grandad, and great grandad, he was an inspiring man who set up many community groups in Thanet, including two befriending groups to conquer the loneliness brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He was an active member of many resident associations and community groups and a founder of numerous support groups for everything from diabetes and asthma to friendship groups.
Brian Thomas Urwin was born on April 15th, 1936, in Eastham, Merseyside to Dorothy and George Urwin. He had a younger brother, Raymond.
He married Brenda on 29 June 1957, and this month the couple would have celebrated 66 years of marriage.
Brian leaves three children, Karen, Nicki, and Ross, six grandchildren, Dani, Naomi, Minnie, Nathalie, Thomas, and Joseph and two great-grandchildren, Harry, and Matteo.
On behalf of the family daughter Karen said: “He was a truly amazing, generous, kind, thoughtful, beautiful, positive, motivational, and inspirational person, a true gentleman, and gentle man. We are all so very proud of him and he will be so deeply missed.
“His family meant the world to him, and he leaves a great hole in our lives. He was our rock, our confidante, our protector, our anchor, our mentor, our advisor, and our friend, and loved us all unconditionally and immensely, as we did him. He meant the world to us all. He was a dedicated family man, with a heart of gold.
Brian was also instrumental in getting a defibrillator installed at Westwood Cross and recently received the Kings Coronation Award for his voluntary services to the community, one of only 500 nationwide. His nomination spoke of how Brian coached and mentored disadvantaged adults and young people, empowering them in personal leadership, values, health, and well-being. It also highlighted the self-help and support groups he had created.
‘I’d like to thank-you to Brian for his dedication, commitment, vision and enthusiasm in establishing Think Healthy Me. He has been such an inspiration to me and others. I vow to continue the legacy he leaves behind.’
Bradley O’Connell
CEO Think Healthy Me