By Laurie Polivy

My dearest Brian, or as I was fond of calling him, Poopsie,

I want tot thank you for the years of friendship that we shared and the years of love that grew out of our true and deep friendship. Brian you were a beloved son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, father and husband.

Brian you were a very special man. Words alone just don't do you justice. You were blessed with the most positive attitude that any person has ever had. There was nothing you couldn't do.

You used to greet each day with a plan. It often included playing your guitar, gardening, cooking delicious meals, taking a nice long bike ride up the hill, playing with Billy and taking care of our family and home. You squeezed all of this in while still working an 8-hour day, too. We all wondered how did you do it?

Brian, you were the best Dad. When Jilian and Dana were small, you loved to play with them and entertain them. Bike rides were a big hit. Of course Jilian and Dana are major Daddy's Girls. From birth on you were a hands on Dad. When I was being a nurse every other weekend or working the evening shift, or in graduate school you were there for the girls doing both the daddy and mommy things that needed to be done. You read stories, gave baths and changed diapers. You were active in the Ocean Shore School, the parent participation program that Jilian and Dana attended from kindergarten to 8th grade. You helped out weekly in their classrooms and you were always available to their classes and the school with your culinary expertise. You attended many overnight field trips with both girls and their classes to Sutter's Fort, Point Reyes and had an especially great trip with Dana's class to Yosemite. You were a proud Dad with good reason.

Brian, you kept your priorities straight. When you were home you were 100% present and available to the kids and me. We did many, many things together as a family. We hiked, we biked, we skated, we skied, we went to Lake Tahoe, Laytonville, Oregon and New York City. Family time was very important to you and nothing interfered with that. You loved Thanksgiving up at Steven and Debbie's. I think that was your favorite holiday, surrounded by family and the closest of friends, cooking up a storm under Estelle's watchful eyes. Eventually you even earned Estelle's trust in the kitchen and she knew we were in your good hands.

Brian, you were a wonderful, amazing, incredible, best ever husband! True, we divided up many duties at home and did not keep “traditional” roles. You held up your end of the deal, even till the very end. The last things you did before you passed on were taking out the trash and making toast. Who could ask for a better husband than you?

You took great care of me when I broke my leg and was out of commission for the better part of a year. You made sure that I got the best healthcare that we could find. You sat next to my bed during the hospital stays and turned the screws on my fixator. You were patient with me, when I became frustrated. You drove me to every doctor's appointment. You cheered me on and you got me a wheelchair so that we could get outside for some fresh air. You were my hero then so I always thought it funny when you said that I was your hero during your illness. That's the way our marriage worked, I guess. We complimented each other.

Brian you were not only my husband but also you were my best friend, too. You understood when I needed to talk or vent about things or when I needed to be quiet and not say a word. We shared a wonderful intimacy. You didn't have to say much for me to understand what was on your mind. A look expressed everything you thought or felt, but didn't actually want or need to say.

I know I am not alone in having you as my best friend. Everyone who knew you wanted to be a part of your large, beautiful circle of friends. Your sense of humor appealed especially to me, Rob and Tracy…so to indulge a quirky part of you, I'll say a bababooey to you.

Brian you were an incredible musician with such a soulful beautiful voice. So many people appreciated you for that. Your music will forever play in my mind as the soundtrack of my life.

Brian you were a sports guy. You were a lifelong Yankee's fan, a frustrated SF Giant's fan and you loved the glory years of the 49ers. When Syracuse finally won a final four it was fantastic for me and even though I told you that you were forbidden to root for them, I think deep down, you might have had been the tiniest bit happy for all of many Syracuse fans you knew.

I could go on and on. There are so many great stories to tell and funny things about you that I could share but I can't condense your amazing life into just a few short minutes, so I'll let other people who loved you have their say and say their good-byes. You will live on forever in my heart and I will never stop loving you or missing you!

I really want to thank many family and friends for their tremendous help in planning this celebration today. I can honestly say, I haven't done anything but say a few things about my Brian. Everything else has been done by a kind, caring, efficient and highly creative network of our loving relatives and friends. Special thanks to friends who traveled here to honor Brian and helped tremendously on the home front. Bobbi and Abbe, thank you so much for your love, friendship and support. Steve and Randie, you are the best family and friends one could ask for. Thanks to Debbie, Lisa and Steve, Devlin and Lisa, Glenn and Donna, Nancy, Kathy, Mary Ann and Carrie for your contributions and support of me and Jilian and Dana. Thanks to the Bergers, Pia, and Dave and Tracy for their huge efforts in the celebration. Thanks to Glenn and Zack Newman for speaking today and for your support. Thank you Leroy, for always being here for the girls and me. You have been a source of strength and love throughout Brian's illness and now. Thanks Steven for helping us try to get Brian better in Boston and at home. Words cannot express my gratitude to Rob and Bob for their tireless efforts to bring today's celebration together, too. Please forgive me if I've forgotten to mention your name but know that in my heart, I love you all and I am honored for all of your help at this time. Brian would be blown away by this celebration of him.