Bottle drive to be held in memory of Wayne Brennan

DAVE EAGLES STAFF REPORTER dave_eagles@kamloopsthisweek.com

When Wayne Brennan died two years ago, there was a community outpouring of memories about the man known well for his years of collecting bottles and cans along city streets.

This weekend, Wayne’s brother, John Brennan, is organizing a bottle drive in his late sibling’s memory, with proceeds going to the Kamloops Food Bank.

The General Grants North Shore recycling centre at 611 Fortune Dr. has an account set up to take empty drinking containers in Wayne’s memory from Friday, July 21, to Sunday, July 23.

John said the bottle drive is being organized to remind people about Wayne, who spent most of his life in Kamloops.

For many Kamloopsians, Wayne was well-known as the “bottle guy.” For more than 20 years, he was seen on city streets, pushing a cart filled with bottles and cans he had collected.

He died of heat-related complications on June 30, 2021, during the heat dome.

“I’d like to know how many miles he put on those legs of his in his life,” John said. “I tell ya, he never quit moving. He was a goer, I tell ya. He had a lot of ambition for a young guy. He coulda sat on a curb with his head in his hands, saying, ‘Oh, woe is me.’ But he didn’t. He got up and did something and he did become wellknown in Kamloops.”

John said he will be taking part in this weekend’s bottle drive. He will head to Kamloops from his home in Surrey with a truckload of bottles and cans.

“I hope that the food bank does well with it. That’s the main thing — and to bring Wayne’s name back into the light for a day or two,” John said.

“He was a terrific brother, anyway. I know that.”