After being diagnosed with cancer and his return to Iqaluit which was accompanied by his family, the town rallied together to welcome him back in true Inuit style. The whole town was beeping their horns in celebration for his return home. Pearson lived out the rest of his days with his sister, brother, niece and his best friend - his dog. While on holiday in Australia he was diagnosed with pancreatic or liver cancer, which was confirmed on his return to Canada. He died at his home in Iqaluit on 12 October 2016. The town mourned his lost, Queen Elizabeth sent a letter of condolences and the Canadian territories hung the flag at half mask in Pearson’s honour. A plaque remembering Pearson is to be opened in Liverpool Cathedral, one of Bryan's favourite places.