NEW GLASGOW - Brett Allen Rhodes, 54, Sunset Community, Pugwash, formerly of New Glasgow, left this world on April 18, 2020 into the loving arms of his Lord, free of pain and at peace. Brett was born in New Glasgow on May 19, 1965. He was a son of Donalda (Shepherd) Clements and the late Isaac Rhodes Jr. For the last number of years, Brett was blessed to have enjoyed the safe, loving and supportive environment afforded to him at The Sunset Community in Pugwash. Brett was an amazing athlete in his younger years. He starred in several sports: Basketball, hockey, fastball and, track and field. As a junior boy triple jumper (Gr. 8 - 1979), not only did Brett become a provincial champion, he set a provincial record that stood for two decades (1979-1999) unbroken. In the fall of 2019, Brett was inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame with members of the 1985 Trenton Munro junior fastball team which was the Trenton Fastball League champions that year, capturing a Nova Scotia title and placing fifth at the Canadian championships in Saskatoon, Sask. When inducted, he was referred to as “the fastest man alive”, to describe how fast he could run the bases. Brett made an incredible contribution to sport in Pictou County and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to win or at the very least achieve his personal best. Brett achieved the rank of Sergeant with The Nova Scotia Highlanders with whom he took part in many Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo events in Halifax. In earlier years he was employed by the former Scott Paper. Brett was a member of Second United Baptist Church, New Glasgow. He truly enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Brett loved taking his daughter, Donalda, to the basketball court or the pit to practice her triple jump. He spent a lot of quality time with his sons, Troy and Roman, where he taught them how to play crib. The three spent countless hours playing with one another and joking around. Those were the happiest days of Brett’s life, when he was with his children, doing what they loved. For Brett, “Life has changed; not ended!” Surviving besides his mother, Donalda, New Glasgow are children, Donalda (Katherine) Rhodes, Stellarton; Troy Rhodes (Tracey), Halifax; Roman Rhodes (Susan), Millbrook; siblings, William “Paul” (Shirley) Lawery, Truro; Kathy Rhodes (Douglas), Guysborough; grandchildren, Aaliyah, Mia and Sophia; uncle, Clyde Shepherd (Frances), St. John, N.B.; nieces and nephews, Ashley, Abigail, Aaron, Chelsea and Adam; many cousins. Besides his father, Isaac, he is predeceased by brother, James “Jamie” Lawery; maternal grandmother, Goldie Sheppard; stepfather, Richard Clements. Brett’s family wish to thank the wonderful Sunset Community staff for the love and care they gave to him. Brett once told his son, Troy, “I just wanna be me”, thank you for allowing him to live life on his own terms. Many thanks to the compassionate staff of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and North Cumberland Memorial Hospital for the care Brett and they received. A private family visitation took place where family was able to say their final goodbyes with cremation to follow. A Celebration of Life will be announced and held at a later date.